Readings (Year A):
Genesis 12:1–4a
Psalm 33:4–5, 18–19, 20, 22.
2 Timothy 1:8b–10
Matthew 17:1–9
Reflection: May we witness God’s transfiguration of our society
Sometimes, we mistakenly believe God needs us to be perfect before we believe we are holy. Throughout our religious tradition we can find stories where blessings came to people considered perfect and curses came to people considered imperfect. The transatlantic slave trade is an example of how disastrous this view is, as colonial conquerors crucified Christianity’s message of salvation in order to continue their corrupt, capitalist ventures. As our readings from Genesis, the Psalms, 2 Timothy, and Matthew present to us, however, God does not require our perfection for a holy life, but our humble obedience.
Powerful, oppressive systems often use a specific tool to maintain their stranglehold on oppressed people—religion. Religion is abused to “prove” God’s divine favor rests with the powerful. Should that not make sense? If God is like a ruler in heaven, then rulers on earth reflect what the heavenly ruler is like. How convenient a narrative, in which the comforts and excesses of the powerful are divinely sanctioned, while the suffering and injustices of the poor are also divinely sanctioned. Grave evil comes from mentalities such as these.
Modern racism found its roots when whiteness became the arbitrarily contrived foundation for enslaving millions of fellow human beings. Since a Christian was supposed to have inherent dignity, and many Black slaves were baptized Christian, the enslavers wanted a biblical basis to maintain the revenue generated by the plantation societies in the Americas. This culminated in the wrongful “justification” of white superiority and African enslavement with the Hamitic curse. And so, the gospel in the western hemisphere became dry and over spiritualized, and was used to promote the idea of imperfect Black slaves suffering for a great reward in the afterlife, while perfect, white masters enjoyed the lavish benefits of their earthly “divine favor.”
The bible resituates white’s symbolism through stories like the Transfiguration. Yet, even today, we see attempts at continued oppressive whiteness, like unjust White House policies against immigrants, persons of color, and anyone who joins disadvantaged groups in their struggle for peace and justice.
As a result, the United States now finds itself in an Abrahamic moment, where God calls for a renewal of the gospel through the humble obedience of each of us in small, personal ways that, when taken collectively, amount to the transfiguration of the United States. The dazzling white of Christ’s presence, God’s voice in the shining cloud, and the light of the gospel guide us to deliver God’s Spirit in unique ways that will benefit the people of the United States, especially its immigrants and strangers of various backgrounds, like Abram in Genesis.
Catholicism, illumined by our readings, highlights the Holy Spirit’s vast potential in us. Not everyone is called to the streets to protest state-sanctioned oppression, but we are called to share in the hardship in some way. The struggle for a holy life, demonstrated in the struggle for peace and justice, looks different for everyone. From prayerful support to everyday acts of good will, the making of a great nation—a nation in which all may find blessing—starts with your humble obedience to truth, not partisan ideologies. God only asked Abram to do as God directed. God wants the same of you.
Let your mercy be on us, Lord, as we place our trust in you. May we follow you with humble obedience through this Lenten season. May we witness your transfiguration in our lives and be transfiguring light to our societies. Whenever we have a hard time struggling for a holy life by longing for your peace and justice, may we remember when you say to us, your disciples, “Rise, and do not be afraid.”
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