2nd Lent C

Welcome to our Bible Study
2nd
Sunday of Lent C
21 February 2016
In preparation for this Sunday’s liturgy
In aid of focusing our homilies and sharing
Prepared by Fr. Cielo R. Almazan, OFM

1st
Reading: Genesis 15,5-12.17-18
• 5 The Lord 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." 6 Abram put his faith in the LORD, who
credited it to him as an act of righteousness. 7 He then said to
him, "I am the LORD who brought you from Ur of the
Chaldeans to give you this land as a possession." 8 "O Lord
GOD," he asked, "How am I to know that I shall possess it?" 9
He answered him, "Bring me a three-year-old heifer, a three-
year-old she-goat, a three-year-old ram, a turtle-dove, and a
young pigeon." 10 He brought him all these, split them in two,
and placed each half opposite the other; but the birds he did
not cut up. 11 Birds of prey swooped down on the carcasses,
but Abram stayed with them. 12 As the sun was about to set, a
trance fell upon Abram, and a deep, terrifying darkness
enveloped him.
• 17 When the sun had set and it was dark, there appeared a
smoking brazier and a flaming torch, which passed between
those pieces. 18 It was on that occasion that the LORD made a
covenant with Abram, saying: "To your descendants I give this
land, from the Wadi of Egypt to the Great River (the Euphrates),
The focus is on the faith of Abram.

1st
The Childless Abram
• 5 The Lord 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."
Abram’s response of faith
• 6 Abram put his faith in the LORD, who credited it to him as an act of righteousness.
God repeats promise
• 7 He then said to him, "I am the LORD who brought you from Ur of the Chaldeans to
give you this land as a possession."
Abram’s question (skepticism)
• 8 "O Lord GOD," he asked, "How am I to know that I shall possess it?"
God’s assurances
• 9 He answered him, "Bring me a three-year-old heifer, a three-year-old she-goat, a
three-year-old ram, a turtle-dove, and a young pigeon." 10 He brought him all these,
split them in two, and placed each half opposite the other; but the birds he did not cut
up. 11 Birds of prey swooped down on the carcasses, but Abram stayed with them.
12 As the sun was about to set, a trance fell upon Abram, and a deep, terrifying
darkness enveloped him.
• 17 When the sun had set and it was dark, there appeared a smoking brazier and a
flaming torch, which passed between those pieces.
God’s covenant and promise (repeated)
• 18 It was on that occasion that the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying: "To
your descendants I give this land, from the Wadi of Egypt to the Great River (the
Euphrates),
A simple outline!

Textual Context of Genesis 15,5-12.17-18
Outline by Bruggemann
Part One ‘Pre-History”: The Sovereign Call of God (1,1—11,29)
Part Two The Abraham Narrative: The Embraced Call of God (11,30—
25,18)
Part Three The Jacob Narrative: The Conflicted Call of God (25,19—
36,43)
Part Four The Joseph Narrative: The Hidden Call of God (37,1—50,26)

Abraham went
from Ur to Haran
From Egypt to Mesopotamia

1st
The Childless Abram
• 5 The Lord 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."
Abram’s response of faith
• 6 Abram put his faith in the LORD, who
credited it to him as an act of
righteousness.
God’s promise of land
• 7 He then said to him, "I am the LORD
who brought you from Ur of the
Chaldeans to give you this land as a
possession."
Abram’s question (skepticism)
• 8 "O Lord GOD," he asked, "How am I to
know that I shall possess it?"
God’s assurances
• 9 He answered him, "Bring me a three-
year-old heifer (young cow), a three-year-
old she-goat, a three-year-old ram, a
turtle-dove, and a young pigeon." 10 He
brought him all these, split them in two,
and placed each half opposite the other;
but the birds he did not cut up. 11 Birds
of prey swooped down on the carcasses,
but Abram stayed with them. 12 As the
sun was about to set, a trance fell upon
Abram, and a deep, terrifying darkness
enveloped him. 17 When the sun had set
and it was dark, there appeared a
smoking brazier and a flaming torch,
which passed between those pieces.
Commentary
• In v.5, God promises Abram that he will
have numerous descendants.
• In v.6, Abram responds in faith. God
credits (considers) his faith as
righteousness.
• To respond in faith is the right thing to do.
• In v.7, God introduces himself to Abram
as the God, who led him to Canaan (the
promised land), from Ur somewhere in
Iraq.
• In v.8, Abram wants to know how he will
possess it.
• Vv.9-17 describe how God assures
Abram of his promise. Abram splits the
animals, except the birds. In a trance,
Abram sees a smoking brazier and torch
passing in between the pieces.
• God is like a human being making a big
promise. And if he fails to fulfill, he is split
into two as punishment.
• God will certainly make good of his
promise.

1st
God’s covenant and promise
(repeated)
• 18 It was on that occasion
that the LORD made a
covenant with Abram, saying:
"To your descendants I give
this land, from the Wadi of
Egypt to the Great River (the
Euphrates),
• V.18 recognizes what had just
transpired. God makes a covenant
with Abram.
• God promises to give the Land of
Canaan to his descendants.
• The extent of the land is vast: From
the Nile River to the Euphrates
River (the whole of Ancient Near
East), not just the present-day
Israel.

Reflections on the 1st
reading
• God is a God who makes promises.
• He promises us well-being.
• Like Abram, we must respond in faith.
• Faith is banking on something that is unbelievable.
• Like Abram, we have to wait for the time when God
fulfills his promise.
• It takes time, months, years, centuries and millennia.
• Our response of faith should also extend (continued by
the generations after us) in time, not just in this Year of
Faith.

Resp. Ps 27:1, 7-8, 8-9, 13-14
• Responsorial Psalm
(1a) The Lord is my light and my salvation.
• 1 The LORD is my light and my salvation;
whom should I fear?
The LORD is my life’s refuge;
of whom should I be afraid?
• 7 Hear, O LORD, the sound of my call;
have pity on me, and answer me.
8 Of you my heart speaks; you my glance seeks.
• 8 Your presence, O LORD, I seek.
Hide not your face from me;
9 do not in anger repel your servant.
You are my helper: cast me not off.
• 13 I believe that I shall see the bounty of the LORD
in the land of the living.
14 Wait for the LORD with courage;
be stouthearted, and wait for the LORD.

Resp. Ps 27:1, 7-8, 8-9, 13-14
• Responsorial Psalm
(1a) The Lord is my light and my
salvation.
• 1 The LORD is my light and my
salvation; whom should I fear?
The LORD is my life’s refuge;
of whom should I be afraid?
• 7 Hear, O LORD, the sound of my call;
have pity on me, and answer me.
8 Of you my heart speaks; you my
glance seeks.
• 8 Your presence, O LORD, I seek.
Hide not your face from me;
9 do not in anger repel your servant.
You are my helper: cast me not off.
• 13 I believe that I shall see the bounty
of the LORD
in the land of the living.
14 Wait for the LORD with courage;
be stouthearted, and wait for the LORD.
Commentary
• V.1 teaches us that if the Lord
is our light, salvation and
refuge, we should not fear
anyone.
• In v.7, the psalmist pleas to
God to hear his prayer.
• In v.8, the psalmist seeks the
Lord. He prays that God will not
reject him.
• In v.13, the psalmist expresses
his belief that someday, he will
experience abundance from the
Lord.
• V.14 exhorts the pray-er to wait
for the Lord.
• God is taking his time.

Reflections on the Psalm
• Like the psalmist, we pray that God will listen to our
prayer.
• It is a double request.
• Like the psalmist and Abram, we too have to wait for
the Lord.
• Let us not be discouraged if his help is not yet
forthcoming.
• We simply have to wait. Do you know how to wait?
• To wait is to keep repeating your prayers.

2nd
Reading: Philippians 3,17--4,1
• 17 Join with others in being imitators of me,
brothers, and observe those who thus conduct
themselves according to the model you have in us.
18 For many, as I have often told you and now tell
you even in tears, conduct themselves as enemies of
the cross of Christ. 19 Their end is destruction.
Their God is their stomach; their glory is in their
"shame." Their minds are occupied with earthly
things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from
it we also await a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. 21
He will change our lowly body to conform with his
glorified body by the power that enables him also to
bring all things into subjection to himself. 4:1
Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for,
my joy and crown, in this way stand firm in the Lord,
beloved.
The focus is on being imitators of Paul.

2nd
An invitation of Paul
• 17 Join with others in being imitators of me, brothers, and
observe those who thus conduct themselves according to
the model you have in us.
What happens to those who don’t imitate Paul?
• 18 For many, as I have often told you and now tell you even
in tears, conduct themselves as enemies of the cross of
Christ. 19 Their end is destruction. Their God is their
stomach; their glory is in their "shame." Their minds are
occupied with earthly things.
What happens if we imitate him?
• 20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we also await
a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. 21 He will change our lowly
body to conform with his glorified body by the power that
enables him also to bring all things into subjection to
himself. 4:1 Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long
for, my joy and crown, in this way stand firm in the Lord,
beloved.
A simple outline!

Textual Context of Philippians 3,17--4,1
Letter A: 4:10-20 (a letter acknowledging a gift)
Letter B: 1:1-3:1a; 4:4-7,21-23 (a letter urging unity and joy)
Letter C: 3:1b-4:3,8-9 (the body of polemical letter)

Paul wrote his letter to the
Philippians in Ephesus, AD 57-58

2nd
An invitation of Paul
• 17 Join with others in being
imitators of me, brothers, and
observe those who thus
conduct themselves according
to the model you have in us.
What happens to those who
don’t imitate Paul?
• 18 For many, as I have often
told you and now tell you even
in tears, conduct themselves
as enemies of the cross of
Christ. 19 Their end is
destruction. Their God is their
stomach; their glory is in their
"shame." Their minds are
occupied with earthly things.
Commentary
• In v.17 Paul invites the Philippians
to imitate him and to behave in the
same way.
• In vv.18-19, Paul enumerates the
behavior of those who don’t imitate
him:
– They conduct themselves as
enemies of the cross…
• Their end is destruction
– God is their stomach
(materialistic)
• Glory is in their shame.
• In other words, they are
contradicting the gift of faith. They
satisfy only their material needs.
They live in shame.

2nd
What happens if we imitate
him?
• 20 But our citizenship is in
heaven, and from it we also
await a savior, the Lord
Jesus Christ. 21 He will
change our lowly body to
conform with his glorified
body by the power that
enables him also to bring all
things into subjection to
himself. 4:1 Therefore, my
brothers, whom I love and
long for, my joy and crown, in
this way stand firm in the
Lord, beloved.
• In vv.20-4,1, Paul portrays a
hopeful future for those who
live the faith like him:
– Our citizenship is in
heaven.
– We await a savior, JC
• To glorify our bodies.
• In v.4,1, Paul reiterates his
point: Christians should
stand firm in the faith.
• Jesus, the Lord, is the center
of their lives (not food, earthly
things, and false glory).

Reflections on the 2nd
reading
• Christians should know whom to imitate.
• We imitate those who are close to Christ.
• Christians are not pleasure seekers,
hedonistic, gimmick-oriented.
• Christians see more than what this world can
offer.
• Christians should look forward to
possessing Christ and to being transformed
by him.

Gospel Reading: Luke 9,28b-36
• 28 Jesus took Peter, John, and James and went up the
mountain to pray. 29 While he was praying his face
changed in appearance and his clothing became dazzling
white. 30 And behold, two men were conversing with him,
Moses and Elijah, 31 who appeared in glory and spoke of
his exodus that he was going to accomplish in Jerusalem.
32 Peter and his companions had been overcome by sleep,
but becoming fully awake, they saw his glory and the two
men standing with him. 33 As they were about to part from
him, Peter said to Jesus, "Master, it is good that we are
here; let us make three tents, one for you, one for Moses,
and one for Elijah." But he did not know what he was saying.
34 While he was still speaking, a cloud came and cast a
shadow over them, and they became frightened when they
entered the cloud. 35 Then from the cloud came a voice
that said, “This is my chosen Son; listen to him.” 36 After the
voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. They fell silent
and did not at that time tell anyone what they had seen.
The focus is on listening to Jesus.

Gospel Reading: Luke 9,28b-36
Setting / Context of Prayer
• 28 Jesus took Peter, John, and James and went up the mountain to pray.
The transfiguration
• 29 While he was praying his face changed in appearance and his clothing
became dazzling white.
Appearance of Moses and Elijah
• 30 And behold, two men were conversing with him, Moses and Elijah, 31
who appeared in glory and spoke of his exodus that he was going to
accomplish in Jerusalem.
Peter awakened and his initiative
• 32 Peter and his companions had been overcome by sleep, but becoming
fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him.
• 33 As they were about to part from him, Peter said to Jesus, "Master, it is
good that we are here; let us make three tents, one for you, one for Moses,
and one for Elijah." But he did not know what he was saying.
The voice of God
• 34 While he was still speaking, a cloud came and cast a shadow over them,
and they became frightened when they entered the cloud. 35 Then from the
cloud came a voice that said, "This is my chosen Son; listen to him.“36 After
the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. They fell silent and did not at
that time tell anyone what they had seen.
A simple outline!

Textual Context of Luke 9,28b-36
• 8,1—9,17 Formation of the Twelve in the context of various
journeys:
• 8,1-21 Journey through the cities with the Twelve and the cured
women; parabolic teach
• 8,22-56 Crossing of the lake and return (stilling of the storm;
Gerasene demoniac; raising of Jairus’ daughter and cure of afflicted
woman)
• 9,1-17 Missionary expedition of the Twelve: Herod’s reaction; the
return of the Apostles and the multiplication of loaves for 5000
• 9,18-50 Sequence of passion-predictions:
• 9,18-27 Peter’s confession (answered with passion prediction and
lessons on discipleship)
• 9,28-36 Transfiguration (containing departure exodus = prediction)
• 9,37-50 Cure of epileptic (followed by passion-prediction with
lessons on discipleship)

Gospel Reading: Luke 9,28b-36Gospel Reading: Luke 9,28b-36
Setting / Context of Prayer
• 28 Jesus took Peter, John,
and James and went up the
mountain to pray.
The transfiguration
• 29 While he was praying his
face changed in appearance
and his clothing became
dazzling white.
Appearance of Moses and
Elijah
• 30 And behold, two men were
conversing with him, Moses
and Elijah, 31 who appeared
in glory and spoke of his
exodus that he was going to
accomplish in Jerusalem.
Commentary
• The text is about the transfiguration of
Jesus Christ.
• The transfiguration happens in the
context of prayer in the mountain (Mt.
Tabor). V.28
• The transfiguration itself is not
described at length, or, in one verse
only v.29.
• The appearance of Moses and Elijah
(two great representatives of the Old
Testament, representing the Torah and the
Prophets) adds to the grandeur of the
transfiguration. V.30
• The transfiguration has a bearing on
the theme of Lent: the exodus of
Jesus. V.31
• (There was exodus in the time of Moses;
Elijah too experience exodus when he ran
away from Jezebel, to Mt. Sinai-Mt.
Horeb.)
• The exodus of Jesus is his passion, death
and resurrection in Jerusalem.

Gospel Reading: Luke 9,28b-36Gospel Reading: Luke 9,28b-36
Peter awakened and his initiative
• 32 Peter and his companions had
been overcome by sleep, but
becoming fully awake, they saw his
glory and the two men standing with
him.
• 33 As they were about to part from
him, Peter said to Jesus, "Master, it is
good that we are here; let us make
three tents, one for you, one for
Moses, and one for Elijah." But he did
not know what he was saying.
The voice of God
• 34 While he was still speaking, a
cloud came and cast a shadow over
them, and they became frightened
when they entered the cloud. 35
Then from the cloud came a voice
that said, "This is my chosen Son;
listen to him.“36 After the voice had
spoken, Jesus was found alone. They
fell silent and did not at that time tell
anyone what they had seen.
• After a deep sleep, Peter and
companions wake up and are
surprised to see the “transformed
Jesus” and Moses and Elijah in glory.
V.32
• In v.33, as Moses and Elijah begin
disappearing, Peter takes the
initiative to propose to Jesus to build
tents.
• The tents (booths) remind a happy
feeling when the Israelites settled at
the foot of Mt. Sinai, when God
spoke to them.
• Peter’s proposal is not taken.
• Instead, God accompanied by
sounds and images (allusions to the
Sinai event) offers a counter proposal,
an imperative. “Listen to him!” vv.34-
35
• V.36 ends the transfiguration. They
are back to normal. The apostles
are quiet about it.

Reflections on the gospel
• In this season of Lent, we must capture the meaning of
the transfiguration.
• It is listening to the conversation of God and his holy
ones.
• Like the apostles, we may experience a nice vision. We
may have happy feelings for being blessed by God, for
having felt his presence.
• However, we must also be prepared to listen to God’s
story (holy scriptures).
• What we have experienced so far is only a preview. The
real thing is still to come.
• To attain it, we must pay a big price. Blood, sweat and tears.
• We, as Christ’s disciples, should march forward, with
other people in this Year of Faith, to our exoduses, a
movement from slavery to freedom, from darkness to
light, from sin to grace.

Tying the 3 readings and the Psalm
• The first reading teaches us to put our faith in
the Lord.
• The psalm teaches us to wait for the Lord.
• The second reading teaches us to imitate those
who live exemplary Christian lives.
• The gospel reading teaches us to listen to
Jesus, his beloved Son.
All the readings teach us how to be successful disciples and how toAll the readings teach us how to be successful disciples and how to
reach our glory.reach our glory.

How to develop your homily and sharing
• Begin by sharing your own journey to success (how you
attained your ambition, in board exams, priesthood).
– I avoided going with my barkadas.
– I went to people who challenged me and who could help me. I
always associated with them.
– I prioritized my schedule.
• Frustration is a human experience.
• We are frustrated when we cannot accomplish what we
want. People say “we failed to deliver” and so we are
fired from work or transferred. The reasons could be:
– No discipline
– No focus. Distracted by many compromises / appointments.
– Attitude problem.
– Not working hard… I do my own thing. I do not communicate
with my boss.

• In the gospel text, the success / glory of
Jesus is previewed in his transfiguration.
• Jesus knew he would accomplish his task /
mission, only by undergoing passion and
death. No other way.
• Precisely he was going down from the
mountain and going up to Jerusalem where
he would meet his martyr’s end.
• He was willing to accept humiliations /
rejections; to carry his cross and allow
himself to be crucified and ultimately to die.
• Jesus follows the script (plan) of God. (He is
listening to his Father.)
• He set up an example for us to follow.

• For our part, Paul, in the second reading,
encourages us, Christians, to imitate him (meaning
to stay put in our faith, in order to attain salvation).
• We will succeed and attain salvation, if we do not
succumb to the materialistic way of life, if we do
not follow our base instincts and downgrade our
goals.
• Through the practice of our faith, we are
transformed into citizens of heaven.
• Ultimate success will be experienced in heaven,
in our glorified bodies.

• In the first reading, Abram or Abraham is presented as a
model of faith.
• His faith is expressed in his hope and prayer to have
children and to possess the promised land, both of which
were given much later after his death.
• Faith is not just for now, but also for the distant future.
• The success of life constitutes in having authentic faith in
God, and the courage and patience to wait for God’s
favors.

• In this season of Lent, the readings define
success / glory not in terms of economic and
political gains, but of being true disciples of
Christ.
• The readings remind us that to be successful
Christians and followers of Christ,
– we must have faith in God and be patient, like
Abraham.
– we must be focused in our faith and ethical life, like
Paul.
– we must listen to Jesus, like the apostles.
• We, too, must courageously march forward,
through thick and thin, to attain our crown of
success, like Jesus.

• In this eucharist, we celebrate the victory of Christ (his
success) and our own successes over evil.
• In the eucharist, Jesus comes to transform us into his
likeness as true children of God.
• In the eucharist, Jesus gives us grace to become true
disciples of Christ.

Our Context of Sin and GraceOur Context of Sin and Grace
• Failure, Palpak
• Inability to understand
rules and regulations
• Unwilling to follow
instructions
• Materialistic
• Avoidance of pain
• Ability to listen
• Willing to suffer
• Willing to sacrifice for
a higher goal
• Good disciples

Suggested Songs
Please click the underlined words.
• Biyayang Mula Sa ‘yo (offertory)
– http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxbmC_LVJrQ
• Sino Ba Ang Diyos? (communion)
– http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8glIv39uKA

Dear sisters and brothers,
•If we have faith, God can transform us and
also our Churches and communities.
•Fr. Cielo

2nd Lent C

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