In this season of Lent, we are invited to devote more time to prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. For this second Sunday of Lent, allow me to emphasize prayer as my stepping stone to reflect on the readings.

When we pray, we go to God to ask for blessings; material or non-material blessings. Consequently, we expect God to grant us the blessings that we asked for. In prayer, one important aspect is dialoguing with God. It is not enough for us to go to God and solely pour out our needs. It is important to note that listening to God is an important aspect of prayer. And blessings will come to us, if we listen to God.

This is what Abraham's story, in the first reading, presents to us. When God asked Abraham to offer his only son Isaac as a living sacrifice, God was not interested in the burning of Isaac. Rather, He was interested in knowing how devoted Abraham was to God. Truly, Abraham was devoted to God, for he was willing to listen and obey Him. Abraham was open to God. He responded promptly and acted on the message, even if the message of God was harsh; to sacrifice his only son, Isaac. The devotion of Abraham earned him blessings. Not only for himself and Isaac, but for all the people. Do you see, how listening to God, will bring countless blessings?

This is what the Transfiguration of Jesus is teaching us. Remember, that in the pericope preceding His Transfiguration, Jesus was disclosing and revealing to His disciples, His impending Suffering, Passion, Death, and Resurrection. But the disciples failed to understand. They did not want to listen to this harsh reality of what will happen to Jesus. They were discouraged; they did not want to listen to Jesus anymore.

And then, on a high mountain, together with His closest disciples, Peter, James, and John, Jesus was transformed. His clothing turned dazzlingly white. Divine light pours out through Him, together, with Moses and Elijah. On the holy mountain, He manifested to them His glory, to show, even by the testimony of the law and the prophets, that The Passion leads to The glory of Resurrection. Practically, God the Father was saying in Him, that is, in Jesus, "I am for you", when He declared, "This is my beloved Son. Listen to Him."

It is good to remind ourselves that The Passion and Death of Jesus, lead to The Blessing of The Resurrection. This should also be our model in our discipline of prayer. No matter how harsh the message of God to us is, when we listen to Him in our prayer, we must firmly believe that everything will be transfigured. Listen and trust always in the One speaking. He will shed light to your every suffering, and brings glory, even to your death.

My dear brothers and sisters, in praying, listen well to God's message. And no matter how difficult and harsh His invitation is, let us obey promptly. Blessings will come to us when we listen to God in our prayer.