Sunday, February 25th
Scripture
Gn. 22:1-2, 9a, 10-13, 15-18
Ps 116:10, 15-19
Rom 8: 31b-34
Mk 9:2-10
Reflection
“There you shall offer him up as a holocaust on a height
that I will point out to you.” Gn.22:2
“I know now how devoted you are to God, since you did not withhold from me your own beloved son.” Gn. 22:12
“He who did not spare his own Son but handed him over for us all,
how will he not also give us everything else along with him?”
Romans 8: 32
“This is my beloved Son, Listen to him.” Mark 9:7
The readings today are about “letting go.” No coincidence that the Transfiguration reading teaches us: “This is my beloved Son, listen to him” enabling us to respond to what God is asking.” Romans assures us, God did not spare his own Son. As Abraham listened, he “let go” and did not withhold from God his own beloved son. In a recent homily, Father Mike provided a dramatic example of what this “letting go” looks like. Father Mike took a small baby from her parents. He placed the baby on the altar as he does after each baptism. He continued, “I then ask the parents, Godparents, and all present who are standing around the altar to take a step back!” Yes, a real picture of “letting go.” The altar representing the person of Christ, the parents entrusting the child to Christ. Taking a picture and showing it to the child at First Communion and as the child matures keeps the act of “letting go” central throughout life.
Prayer
Beloved, help us to listen as we rest in your heart of love.
Open our hearts to follow your word
and to surrender all to you each day. On our journey,
may we model “letting go” and “letting God.”
Personal Challenge
Each morning I will spend time listening as I rest in the heart of love, and whole-heartedly respond to what is asked.
Sister Rita Schmitz, CSJ
St. Louis, MO
