In today's first reading Abraham is put to the test.  God calls out to him and tells him to sacrifice his own son, Isaac (to offer him up as a holocaust.)  The reading does not tell us how Abraham was feeling about this, but I can only imagine his utter despair, fear and dread upon having to sacrifice his own son.  Abraham does not question God; he is faithful to God, obeying and trusting.  Just as he is about to slaughter his own son, God intervenes with a message from an angel, and prevents Abraham from slaughtering his own son.  God provides Abraham with a ram to offer up as a holocaust instead.

We might ask, why did God put Abraham to such a test?  This seems like such an extreme test.  God's will is sometimes hard to understand.

What's important to remember here is that Abraham was faithful to God and trusted him completely, even to point that he was willing to sacrifice his own son.

In the end, we know that God is the very one who ends up sacrificing his own Son, and all for his great love for us.  

God is always worthy of our praise!  Even in our distress and in our death.  Let us remember to give God our thanks and praise all the days of our life.  Each day we are given is a gift.

In today's second reading we are reminded of God's insurmountable love for us.  He spared his own Son, all for love of us!  Paul says, "If God is for us, who can be against us?"  No matter what, God is always for us.  He is always on our side.  He is always calling us, inviting us back to himself.  We all experience moments in our lives when we encounter people who seem to be against us or we separate ourselves from God because of our sin. Take heart, repent and have hope in knowing that God is always with you and that he loves you like no other!

In today's gospel Jesus takes three of his disciples, Peter, James and John up to a high mountain and then he is "transfigured" before them; his clothes became dazzling white."  Elijah and Moses appear with him.  His disciples don't really know what to make of what is happening before them.  They are getting a glimpse of what the glorified Jesus will look like when he is resurrected.  The Transfiguration is in anticipation of Jesus' glorious resurrection.  

During this season of Lent, where do you see Jesus?  What does he look like to you?  As we anticipate Easter Sunday, let this time in Lent be one of a turning back to God, looking inward to ourselves, and allowing God to transform us so we too can share in his glory!