2026 Cycle A - 2nd Sunday Lent

Readings

2nd Sunday Lent

Gen 12:1-4a; Ps 33:4-5, 18-19, 20, 22; 2 Tim 1:8b-10; Matt 17:1-9

Homily Theme

Blessings & Mercy

This Sunday, the readings contain sufficient verses for several different messages. I have chosen just two words that stand out for me. They are Blessed and Mercy, since they are mentioned several times in today’s readings. Each word can inspire us with a message for Lent.

In the first treading God blesses Abram and promises to bless those whom Abram  will bless. Certainly, the three disciples were blessed in today’s Gospel by being present for Christ’s Transfiguration they were made aware of Christ’s divinity, but they will also be present during His agony in the garden where they will become even more aware of His humanity. He is both God and man. He has two natures and we need to be reminded of that often. At Holy Mass, we need to be reminded that He is truly present in Holy Communion. It is not just bread and wine that we receive. We have also been blessed with many Church approved Eucharistic miracles that should remind doubting non believers to really believe in the Real Presence. It should also encourage them to come Home to the true Church that He founded.

This brings me to the second word this week. It is repeated several times in the psalm response. Lord let your mercy be upon us as we place our trust in thee. One of the greatest blessings we can receive this Lent is the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The first thing Jesus did after the resurrection was to appear to the apostles in the upper room where He breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you  shall forgive they are forgiven. Whose sins you shall retain they are retained. This is a sacrament of God’s mercy .It must be important to Jesus since He was the one who gave this power to the apostles on Easter Sunday, so why do so few take advantage of this gift of mercy ? Don’t wait for an earthquake before you decide to receive absolution. It could be too late. Seek His mercy, for now is the acceptable time.

There will be more than a few, in Church this Sunday that will hear, the call for God’s mercy, even if they don’t bother to recite the words of the psalm: they could be the ones whom God is calling. When was the last time you went to confession? If you wish to receive His infinite mercy, make sure that you make a good confession.           Many older Catholics remember how each Saturday they came to Confession, whether they needed it or not. Where have all the sinners gone? You will be reminded of these words at the beginning of Mass as the choir sings three times.

Lord have mercy            He will if   you  repent.