February 28th, Sunday, Second Week of Lent

Genesis 15: 5-12, 17-18, Psalm 27: 1, 7-8, 8-9, 13-14, Philippians 3: 17 -- 4: 1, Luke 9: 28b-36

What cloud of darkness envelopes you? For me, darkness comes in different forms. Feeling overwhelmed by too many commitments and responsibilities, anxiety about the H1N1 virus, regret and remorse for yelling at my children, sadness and worry for friends and family going through hard times. Darkness can overtake me.

In today’s readings, there is great darkness for many. But thankfully and most encouragingly, it reaffirms that there is nothing to fear when we trust in the Lord. Abram does not know what the Lord has in store for him; he is enveloped by a deep, terrifying darkness. But who comes through and assures Abram? God. He promises Abram he will give him descendants and a land in which to live. And then Psalm 27 reminds me: “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?” Again, here is the Lord, reassuring me that his promise of light awaits me. And, here’s an important point for me, it’s not just off in the distance somewhere but right now. “I believe that I shall see the bounty of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord with courage; be stouthearted, and wait for the Lord.”

In the Gospel when John, James and Peter go with Jesus to the top of the mountain. Jesus is transfigured; “his face changed in appearance and his clothes became dazzling white.” The opportunity is pure, unrestrained, completely open, and truly limitless in its offering. And when Peter offers to build three tents, seemingly more concerned with earthly things, “a cloud came and cast a shadow over them, and they became frightened…” the light goes out. For me, my concern, worry and fear with earthly things seems to be my downfall. For when I let go of the worry, put my trust in the Lord, and seek His light, the darkness recedes.

The Lord has given me the light for my darkness. He offers me light each and every day. My challenge is to switch on the light more often. My challenge is to remember that the light is always at the ready, always at my fingertips, always in my heart.

Molly Sandberg, married to Warren, mother of Caroline and Meghan.