Second Sunday of Lent – March 1, 2026
Genesis 12:1-4a; Ps. 33; 2Tim. 1:8b-10; Matt. 17:1-9
Arise and Do Not Be Afraid!
Beloved brothers and sisters in Christ,
Every Second Sunday of Lent, the Church takes us up a mountain.
Today, the Word of God places before us two mountains:
The mountain of departure… and the mountain of glory.
In the First Reading (Genesis 12:1–4a), God says to Abram:
“Go forth from the land of your kinsfolk… to a land I will show you.”
No map.
No guarantees.
No explanations.
Just a promise!
And Abram goes.
In the Gospel (Matthew 17:1–9), Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up Mount Tabor. There, He is transfigured. His face shines like the sun. His clothes become dazzling white. Moses and Elijah appear. The Father’s voice thunders:
“This is my beloved Son… listen to him.” And the disciples fall to the ground in fear.
Two mountains.
Two commands.
One message: Trust the journey. Do not be afraid of the glory that awaits beyond the struggle.
Abram’s journey begins with leaving.
Leaving comfort.
Leaving certainty.
Leaving what is familiar.
Lent always begins this way.
God calls us to leave something behind:
- A habit.
- A resentment.
- A sin.
- A false security.
- A version of ourselves that is too small for His promise.
Abram could have said, “I’m too old.”
“I’m too settled.”
“It’s too risky.”
But Psalm 33 tells us:
“Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.”
Faith is not about seeing the whole road.
Faith is taking the next step.
What is God asking you to leave behind this Lent?
On the mountain of Transfiguration, Jesus reveals His glory.
But notice something:
This moment comes right after Jesus tells the disciples He must suffer and die.
The Transfiguration is not an escape from suffering.
It is a revelation of what suffering leads to.
Before Calvary, there is Tabor.
Before the Cross, there is Glory.
Before Good Friday, there is Resurrection.
St. Paul tells Timothy:
“Bear your share of hardship for the gospel… He has destroyed death and brought life and immortality to light.”
Lent reminds us: The cross is not the end of the story.
Some of you are carrying heavy crosses:
- Illness.
- Grief.
- Family burdens.
- Anxiety about the future.
- Loneliness.
- Financial strain.
- Spiritual dryness.
On Tabor, Jesus shows us what is hidden beneath the struggle: Glory.
God does not waste suffering.
He transforms it.
“Arise, and Do Not Be Afraid”
The disciples fall in fear. The glory overwhelms them. But then something beautiful happens. Jesus comes. He touches them. And He says:
“Rise, and do not be afraid.”
That is the heart of this Sunday.
God calls Abram to rise.
Jesus calls the disciples to rise.
And today, He calls us to rise.
Not because life is easy.
But because He is with us.
Fear paralyzes.
Faith moves.
Fear sees the mountain as an obstacle.
Faith sees it as the place of encounter.
Fear focuses on the cross.
Faith sees the resurrection already breaking through.
After the glory… they must come down the mountain. That is important!
We do not live on Tabor. We live in the valley. But we go down changed.
Lent is not about spiritual emotion.
It is about spiritual transformation.
We climb through prayer.
We fast to detach from what enslaves us.
We give alms to loosen our grip on self. Why?
So that when we descend back into ordinary life,
we carry the light of Christ within us.
Perhaps this Lent you feel like Abram — uncertain about what lies ahead.
Perhaps you feel like Peter — wanting to stay in comfort, building tents where it feels safe.
Perhaps you feel like the disciples — overwhelmed and afraid.
Hear Jesus today: “Arise. Do not be afraid.”
Do not be afraid of the journey.
Do not be afraid of the cross.
Do not be afraid of change.
Do not be afraid of surrender.
Because the One who calls you is faithful.
The same God who led Abram
is the same God who raised Jesus
is the same God walking with you now.
3 Lessons:
This Lent, as you climb the mountain.
- Leave behind what must be left. Listen to the Beloved Son.
Trust the promise. Carry your cross with hope. - And when fear whispers that you cannot endure, remember the touch of Christ. He does not shout condemnation. He does not scold weakness. He touches you.
- Always remember that He says: “Rise… and do not be afraid.”
God bless you!
