By Richard Clifford, S.J.
The Lectionary readings enable us to view Lent with fresh eyes. In the first reading from the book of Genesis, Abraham is sleeping, and in a dream the Lord leads him out of his tent to view the starry sky. Abraham had complained that God promised him a land and descendants, but has never actually given them, “O Lord God! How am I to know that I shall possess these great gifts?”
God answers him with a strange command: “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.” Abraham brings them, splits them in two, and places each half opposite the other; but the birds he does not cut up. Birds of prey sweep down on the bloody carcasses, and Abraham has to beat them back. Abraham then falls into a deep sleep that in the Bible often indicates that God was doing something important. When Abraham is in the trance, God speaks.
Know for certain that your descendants will reside as aliens in a land not their own, where they shall be enslaved and oppressed for four hundred years. You, however, will go to your ancestors in peace; you will be buried at a ripe old age. In the fourth generation – your descendants will return here.
In other words, Abraham will have descendants, plenty of them, but it will be only a later generation that will actually possess the land of Canaan. The answer is more satisfying than might appear, for in those days people lived through their children; being assured your children will possess the land was something like possessing it yourself.
The smoking fire pot and flaming torch represent God. God (in the flaming pot) and Abraham walking between the split corpses demonstrate that unfaithfulness to the covenant will lead to a similar fate for each of them. Remarkably, God takes upon himself that terrible penalty if he does not live up to the covenant. God has sworn, and the best we can do is try to keep up with God’s total commitment.
Luke’s Gospel similarly underscores the presence of God, but this time the divine presence is represented by Messiah Jesus. Instead of a flame, shining white garments. Moses represents the great revelation at Mount Sinai where the Torah was given to the people. Elijah represents all the prophets that taught faithfulness to the covenant.
The covenant with Abraham and the transfiguration of Jesus are different manifestations of God. God assures Abraham of his power and love, and Jesus likewise assures his disciples of his ultimate victory and presence. Whatever our Lenten resolutions are, they should focus on the God who desires to walk with us.
Richard Clifford, S.J. former President of the Weston Jesuit School of Theology and Founding Dean of the Boston College Clough School of Theology and Ministry