Homily: March 13, 2022, Sunday of the second Week of Lent

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 The Lord God took Abram outside and said, “Look up at the sky and count the stars if you can. Just so,” he added, “shall your descendants be.” 

“I am the LORD who brought you from Ur of the Chaldeans to give you this land as a possession.”

God made these two promises to Abram. For the people in ancient times, and for many even in modern times, having children as heir and owning land as property are two most important possessions in life.

Abram had been leading a nomadic life for many years and his wife Sarai, already in her old age, was still childless at that time. So, Abram doubted and questioned, “how am I to know…?”

Have you been praying for something important, bearing heavy burdens while waiting, trying to keep hopeful but still you received nothing? Would you also doubt and question God?

In response to Abram’s doubt, God assured him by cutting a covenant with him, known as a covenant of the pieces.

In ancient times, when people entered a treaty, a contractual agreement, they would perform a covenantal ritual. 

They cut animals in half, and both parties would walk through the bloody path in between the pieces. It symbolised that they would cut themselves dead like the animals if they failed to keep their part of the deal. They sealed the agreement by pledging their lives.

But the covenant between God and Abram was special, it was a ‘one-sided’ covenant. God, appearing as the fire pot and flaming torch, walked through without Abram because He had put him into a trance. God alone will fulfil the covenant or be cut into pieces if He failed in His promises. He spared Abram from having to pledge his life. God knows the weakness of man.

Mother Angelica said, “Even after healing and performing miracles, Jesus couldn’t get twelve friends to stick by him.” Man continues to fail and are unfaithful, especially when the going gets tough. In the second reading, St. Paul wrote, “For many conduct themselves as enemies of the cross of Christ”. Newly converted Christians in Philippi had lost their faith.

God knows us. Yet He loves us unconditionally and asks only this from us, as heard in the gospel, “this is my chosen son; listen to him”.

He wants us to listen to Jesus, for our own good sake. He reveals Jesus’ true glory to show us who Jesus is, to convince us to follow Him closely, to not doubt.

But Mother Angelica warned, “There will be times when your faith will be attacked, and your doubts will be increased. What will you do? Persevere in prayer now.”

Lent is an occasion to pray for strength and grace before we get hit, for us to turn back to God before we stray too far, to believe in the promises of God before doubt enters.

God has assured us in Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Do you believe?

Look up at the sky and count the stars if you can, for that is how much blessings you have received and will continue to receive. God will not fail us. Do not doubt. Just believe. Amen.

Fr. Nivin Scaria


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