Lent 2. Sunday A

Transfiguration

SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT

YEAR A | ROMAN MISSAL | LECTIONARY

First Reading Genesis 12:1–4a

Response Psalm 33:22

Psalm Psalm 33:4–5, 18–20, 22

Second Reading 2 Timothy 1:8b–10

Gospel Acclamation Matthew 17:5

Gospel Matthew 17:1–9

FIRST READING

Genesis 12:1–4a

1 Now the LORD said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. 2 And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and him who curses you I will curse; and by you all the families of the earth shall bless themselves.” 4 So Abram went, as the LORD had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran.

The First Reading reminds us of the three promises that have been given to Abraham: 1) God will make him a great nation (Israel), 2) His name will be great and he will become a blessings, 3) All the peoples of the earth shall bless themselves by him.

Viewed with eyes not enlightened by the Spirit, we could presume that the promise was fulfilled in the nation of Israel. But in what way then, did Abraham become a blessing to all the peoples of the earth?

According to Jewish mainstream interpretation, “peoples will invoke Abraham's name when blessing themselves or their children, saying essentially "May you be like Abraham" or "May God bless you as He blessed Abraham." Abraham becomes the paradigm or model of blessing.

Jewish interpretation emphasizes Abraham's role as exemplar rather than mediator—he's the standard of blessing, not the channel through which blessing flows to others. The focus remains on Israel's election and mission to be a people whose relationship with God demonstrates His reality to the world, inspiring others to seek similar blessing.

This contrasts with Christian interpretation, which reads a passive all families of the earth will (" be blessed in you") and sees it as messianic—pointing to blessing coming through Abraham's descendant to all nations.

At the time of Jesus the Feast of Tabernacles was associated with the feast of Boots.

GOSPEL

Matthew 17:1–9

1 And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain apart. 2 And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his garments became white as light. 3 And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. 4 And Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is well that we are here; if you wish, I will make three booths here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” 5 He was still speaking, when lo, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” 6 When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces, and were filled with awe. 7 But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and have no fear.” 8 And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.

9 And as they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, “Tell no one the vision, until the Son of man is raised from the dead.”

SECOND READING

2 Timothy 1:8b–10

8 Do not be ashamed then of testifying to our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel in the power of God, 9 who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not in virtue of our works but in virtue of his own purpose and the grace which he gave us in Christ Jesus ages ago, 10 and now has manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.