Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Welcome! We see in the second reading that Paul is in jail, close to death and he is writing what seems like his last will and testament to his disciple Timothy who is afraid. My guess is that Timothy is wondering what he will do in his life without Paul. Imagine that Paul is in a dungeon, a jail, and he says to his brother: I remember you constantly in my prayers. He is more concerned with Timothy than he is for himself with death at the doorstep.
Paul also remembers Timothy’s tears at their last departure probably in Ephesus and he says to him: the faith that dwelt in your grandmother, Lois, and your mother, Eunice, (who was married to a pagan) I am sure that same faith dwells in you. Wow, Timothy is the third generation of Christians in his family, and with a pagan father. And he still became a very strong disciple of Christ. Anything is possible with Christ. You don’t need to come from a perfect Christian family.
What we heard tonight in the reading is Paul encouraging Timothy. He tells him: I remind you to fan into a flame the gift of God that you received from the laying on of my hands. Remember the gift that you received at your ordination! At this point in history Timothy was ordained a bishop, an overseer is the original word, since priests came later when the bishops couldn’t take care of everyone. Paul says remember how God chose you. And God also chose you and the one you are married to, and the situation you find yourself in today. Remember how he called you back to the Church. Remember that when you think God doesn’t hear your prayers.
And Paul continues: don’t be ashamed or afraid to witness, to testify by your preaching and your suffering to the gospel. Keep speaking and don’t be afraid of people seeing your weaknesses! That’s what helps them to see they can also be a disciple. The calling of a Christian is a Vocation, with the same seriousness as if you were a bishop or priest. As Paul faces death he promises Timothy life in Christ!
Hearing God’s word creates faith, brothers and sisters!! You have to let it enter you and convict you, and little by little it gives you courage to confront difficulties, as it did for Abraham. God took the initiative. His calling of Abraham is very dramatic. God tells him: leave your pagan lands! Then, migrate to a land that I will show you! Then, I will give you a divine blessing that all the nations will be blessed through you!!
Abraham listens! God says: I will show you, I will make you, and I will bless you. True faith is always seen in deeds, in our good works. Lent is a time to pray, fast and give alms; these are the deeds pleasing to God.
The gospel of the Transfiguration reminds us that God comes this Lent to take hold of us, to raise us to heaven, to help us to see where we are going. Christian life is the fullness of life, now, not tomorrow, not only when I die. Christianity is not about a continual postponement of a life of joy and delight. We can experience the fullness of God’s presence in jail, in sickness, in any situation. We can see his glory now in this world of passingness and disappointment. It doesn’t happen automatically. However, if we let the Word of God and the preaching touch us, faith grows.