First Reading: Genesis 12:1-4a

The story of Abraham begins abruptly. He was only mentioned earlier in the genealogy, which preceded this passage. The promise of land, progeny and a blessing are the free gift from God. Humankind, including Abram, did nothing to deserve or earn it.

Abram, whose name will become Abraham, was chosen by God to begin a new phase in God’s plan for the world. The last time that God spoke to humankind was to Noah in Gn 9:8-17, when He established a covenant with the people that had been saved from the Great Flood. That was ten generations ago, according to the genealogy that immediately precedes this passage.

The blessing of God begins with Abram, reaches out to those with whom Abram will meet, and finally extends to “all.” One of the Jewish commentators reflects that God’s promise to “make your name great” is demonstrated by lengthening his name from Abram to Abraham in Gn 17:5. Both names translate to mean the same thing: “the Father [God] is exalted.”

Second Reading: 2 Timothy 1:8b-10

Paul assures the people that God “saved us and called us,” because of the bestowal of His grace, His favor. It was not by any worthiness or merit on the part of those, who received this call. Jesus became the visible manifestation and proof of God’s plan. He made possible that which was impossible by human effort alone.

The word, “life,” is more than just a biological function in this letter or any of the letters that are attributed to Paul. It is a fullness, a completeness, that is bestowed by God. “Life” and “immortality” are closely related concepts. They go beyond the here-and-now. Physical death is not the end of this gift from God.

Gospel: Matthew 17:1-9

The story of the Transfiguration of Jesus is placed between the first (Mt 16:21) and second (Mt 17:22-23) prediction of the Passion. The “high mountain” recalls “the mountain,” where Jesus began His first discourse in Mt 5:1 and where he commissioned His disciples after the Resurrection in Mt 28:16. It anticipates this later revelation of the Risen Lord. Some scholars even interpret it as a misplaced appearance narrative or even a description of His ascension.

There are echoes of the Old Testament. Moses was summoned “to the top of the mountain” in Ex 19:20 to speak with God and receive His Law. The people were led through the wilderness by a column of cloud and fire (Ex 13:21). Elijah climbed Carmel and Horeb (1 Kg 18:42, 19:8). These are the two figures, who appeared to Jesus. They also appear together at the end of the Greek version of the Old Testament (our Catholic version) in Malachi 3:22-23. The tent recalls the portable Tabernacle that was carried by the Jews during their time in the wilderness before entering the Promised Land. It is the same Greek word as used in the Old Testament.

There are also verbal allusions to the narrative in the rest of the Gospel. The voice from heaven speaks the same words as at the baptism of Jesus, with the additional command to “listen to Him” (Mt 3:17). It is in the center of this story, and thus receives a special emphasis in the narration. Jesus’ response to the fear of the three disciples, “do not be afraid,” will be repeated by the angel at the empty tomb and by the Risen Jesus to the women, who witnessed His burial (Mt 28:5,10). Jesus also orders the disciples to “rise,” the same root word that is used to describe Jesus’ own resurrection in Mt 28:7.

There is a passage in the Gospel today, which reflects my own thoughts at the Easter Vigil: “Lord, it is good that we are here.” A couple of years ago, after we read the lessons of salvation history from the Bible and blessed the baptismal water, we invited the members of the RCIA to the font for baptism. As they mount the steps and prepare to descend into the baptismal pool, I ask them: “Do you want to be baptized?” They are to answer in the microphone for all to here: “I am.” Then, they go down into the water. One young catechumen, showing great enthusiasm, shouted, “I sure am!” He jumped into the water, “rebaptizing” a few of us who surrounded the font! It brought an immediate response of laughter from the whole congregation in that most solemn moment. We were all glad to be there with him. He was ready and willing to join the community of the faithful! And he already taught us a lesson about the gift of faith.

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Fr. Richard C. Macey is pastor of Our Lady of the Woods Parish, Woodhaven.