Second Sunday of Lent – Year B

Fr. Mark Gatto

Preached: Feb 25 2018

One parishioner, give balls to hold in hands, Throw coin to be caught. Need to let go of the balls first!
We are so busy clinging and grasping to what we think belongs to us, that we are unable to receive the blessings God wants to give to us.

What is most precious thing in the world to you? That is not yours, it does not belong to you, it is a gift.

Only when we learn to let go, can we be truly free and receive God’s blessings. Do you want to be free?  Let go of all your possessions, loved ones, personal achievements.

We cling to all we have, with the fantasy, “This belongs to me.”  The cause of so much fear, selfishness, even war, “This belongs to me.” All wars begin with the words “This belongs to me. “ This is my family, this is my child, this is my money, this is my body, this is my church. This belongs to me.

So much fear, selfishness, so little true freedom.

Lent is all about becoming truly free. Becoming free is to see all that we have in a proper way. To be able to let go easily. Nothing belongs to me, all is gift. This makes all the difference.

Prayer, Fasting, Almsgiving. Reminder that nothing belongs to me, all is gift.

Two of the freest men in history are seen in today’s readings – Abraham, Jesus.  Abraham constantly ready to let go. First, his homeland. Today’s reading, his first born son, Isaac. Abraham was Older, did not expect even this child, his whole future, his plans would be lost. But, he was Free to let go. Saw his son not as his possession, but as a gift. Then he is able to have this son in a good way, in true freedom.

Jesus. Transfiguration. Speaks of his suffering and death. Ready to let go even of his own life. Self surrender, self giving love, completely free.

Sacrifice and letting go even of his life, will not result in losing his life. In the Resurrection receives the fullness of life.

When I grasp my things, protect my things, get my things, never give of myself. Result is that I become smaller and smaller. When I give things away in love and trust, when I give my self away, what may seem like loss actually becomes the path to true life, to true freedom.

The Transfiguration was an experience for the Apostles that would help them to learn to let go, to not cling even to Jesus. So that when they were faced with his death, his loss, seeming failure, they would be able to see deeper and beyond.