Homilies

IT IS WONDERFUL FOR US TO BE HERE

The three disciples in today’s gospel, Peter, John and James, were overwhelmed by the glory of Jesus when he was transfigured in their presence. And Peter on behalf of the other disciples spoke out: “It is wonderful for us to be here, let us build three tents.” In essence, Peter is suggesting that the moment of the transfiguration with its dazzling glory and appealing splendor should be prolonged for as long as possible. Does this sound familiar? How many of us would have loved to prolong the experience of our wedding celebrations, religious professions and priestly ordinations? No wonder it has been said that the only bad thing about good things is that they come to an end!

But Jesus knows only too well that the glory of the transfiguration will only be realized in its fullness if he remains faithful to the road that leads down the mountain and up to Calvary. Even as he enjoyed the glory of Mount Tabor, Jesus did not lose sight of his mission, the salvation of all humankind. This awareness, this consciousness, kept him focused and going. In like manner, Abraham, whom we heard about in the first reading today is known as our Father in faith because he was ready to make that “leap of faith” from his own comfort zone to embrace the ever challenging will of God. Remember that Abraham and his wife Sarah were both old when they had Isaac their only son.  At last, the promise of many descendants that God had made to Abraham was going to be fulfilled. This was a comfortable situation and the old couple must have uttered their own version of: “It is wonderful to be here.”

But God comes to disturb Abraham from this comfortable position and precisely because he allowed himself to be shaken up by Yahweh, Abraham is today known as our father in faith. Our spiritual life is a pilgrimage. All true Christians are ever on the move, ever discerning by the help of the Holy Spirit what God is calling them to be and to do. In a way, Lent is that time when we are invited to journey with Christ, moving out of our own comfort zones and making ourselves vulnerable.

This message is of crucial importance to us in Zambia during this year of elections. After five years of being in power, some of our leaders might find themselves so comfortable that they mumble to themselves: “It is wonderful to be here.” It is possible that some leaders have become so accustomed to their offices and all the trappings that come with it that they cannot imagine themselves as ordinary citizens after this year’s elections. This attitude can make leaders fearful persons who will do anything to stay in their positions. Doesn’t common sense tell us that desperate people do desperate things?

Can our political leaders, for love of Zambia, have the courage and faith to follow in the footsteps of Abraham, our Father in faith, and sacrifice their own personal comfort zones and make themselves vulnerable during this election year? What about all of us who belong to different political parties? To some of us, belonging to a certain party has become more important than being Zambians! One of the Bemba proverbs says: “Sunga umukoshi, ubulungu tabwayafya” (Preserve the neck, beads are easily acquired). The message is clear: if ever you have to choose between keeping either your neck or the beads, keep the neck for you can easily replace beads. If we have to choose between a party and Zambia, let us choose Zambia! If we have to choose between supporting an individual leader and Zambia, let us choose Zambia!

Let us pray that as we Zambians go to cast our votes this year, we should be willing to lose our “beads” whatever they may be, in order that we will save our “neck” which is our country Zambia. May the Spirit grant us ears that will be able to hear the voice of our crucified Lord inviting us to come down from our own comfort zones so as to journey with him to Calvary and enjoy the glory of the resurrection. Let our prayer be: “Yes, it is wonderful for us to be here, but Lord, grant us the faith to move on!”

Questions for reflection and sharing in Small Christian Communities

Sketch

Have two families.  Members of family A, living comfortably, having access to proper health care, enjoying three regular meals, and the children are able to go to school. While members of family B, lacking basic necessities of life, including education for their children, safe water and sanitation and usually goes without food. A small child from family A shares the miseries of family B to the parents who ignores and acts indifferently to their neigbour are suffering.

Community Prayers

• Lord, give us the strength to remain focused in our Christian mission of saving the world. Lord, hear our prayer! Lord graciously hear us!
• Lord, your transfiguration brought inner joy to the disciples, may we too radiant joy and happiness in our communities. Lord, hear our prayer! Lord graciously hear us!
• Lord, as we journey with you on the road to Calvary, may we respond to your invitation of enjoying with you the glory of the resurrection. Lord, hear our prayer! Lord graciously hear us!