In today’s first reading, we hear about Abraham’s test: God tells Abraham to sacrifice his only child, Isaac. Remember that previously, God had promised Abraham that He would raise up a great nation from Abraham’s descendants. Now God is telling him to sacrifice the only descendant he has. Imagine Abraham’s confusion, not to mention his sorrow at being asked to do such a thing. Yet, he was willing to do as God instructed, and by showing his obedience, the covenant God made to him was renewed. In the Gospel reading, we again hear about Jesus’ transfiguration. Peter, James, and John witnessed something so spectacular that they were both terrified and excited by it. At the end, God spoke from the heavens, stating that Jesus “is my beloved Son,” and said “listen to Him.” In another version of the transfiguration, God also says that He is well pleased with Jesus. Why? Because Jesus had also been obedient. He had done, and would continue to do, what His Father asked of Him…up to and including dying a horrible death for our sake. Through Jesus’ obedience, we were saved. Jesus is the sacrifice that seals the new covenant. Our Father and our Lord Jesus held nothing back; their love for us is complete and unconditional. What are we to do in the face of such love? We, too, are called to listen and obey. Jesus demonstrated how we are to live both by His words and His actions, which are contrary to many of the things our world says are important and valuable. Especially during this Lenten season, we should reflect on what our priorities are. To whom are we listening and being obedient; to our God who gave everything for us, or to the world with its empty promises?