Risk and trust go together.  When I take a risk, whether it be in a relationship, in a job or in my own life, it is also an act of trust.  I take the risk of inviting someone out for coffee, trusting that they will say yes.  Of course there is always the possibility that I may be rejected.  Life is full of both small and substantial moments of risk and trust.

In the readings for the second Sunday of Lent we also read about risk and trust.  The first reading is a short account of the call of Abraham.  Abraham is asked by God to ‘leave your country, your family and your father’s house, for the land I will show you.’  Here lies one of the consistent themes in the Biblical witness to God’s relationship with the human family.  It seems that God is always calling us to leave something behind and to follow him into a yet unknown future.  For most of us that is a daunting prospect.  However, if you think about it, I guess we are faced with the unknown future every day.  As we awake from our sleep each morning there is an element of leaving behind the night and walking into a new day.  We might have a fair idea of what that day ahead holds but we are never entirely certain.  And we know that one phone call, one knock at the door, one newspaper item, one world event can change our day, or our minds, or our lives.  Sometimes in a profound way.  So, perhaps the Biblical writers did know something about human life.  They call us to trust in the God of life as we face our unknown futures.  The psalm for this Sunday sums up the stance that we are invited to take in the face of our unknown future: “May your love be upon us, O Lord, as we place our hope in you.”

The Gospel reading for this Sunday is the account of the Transfiguration.  Jesus is transfigured in the presence of the disciples, Peter, James and John.  “His face shone like the sun and his clothes became as white as the light”, we are told.  This event took place after Peter had rebuked Jesus for suggesting that he was facing a life threatening resistance to his mission that would result in his death in Jerusalem.  In a sense, this is the ultimate risk.  Walking into a future where envy, jealousy and violence hover on the horizon.  Peter’s reaction was to resist this future.  “This must not happen!”  But, Jesus’ response was to walk into that future in faith.  The account of the transfiguration gives us a glimpse of the promise of light and life that meets those who dare to take the risk and walk into the (unknown) future. The Gospel writers want to assure us that God’s call to follow is never a call into abandonment.  It is a call that is met by the light and life of hope.  God.  To walk into the unknown future is not in vain, according to the Christian witness.  It is the very place where we will find light and life.  It’s here Peter wants to stay!  “It is wonderful for us to be here; if you wish I will make three tents here…”

As Christians we are called to witness to the presence of the God of hope and life who meets human beings on their sometimes tumultuous journey of life.  Perhaps we too can build a tent and offer rest, hope, prayer, and light to those we meet on the way.  It may help them to face the next day with its unknown future.

By Fr Brendan Reed