B: 2nd Sun of Lent (25 Feb 2018) - MY BELOVED SON - Mk 9:2-10

The First Reading and the Gospel both have a formula almost identical with each other: "your only son whom you love" in Gen 22:2 and "this is my son, the beloved" in Mark 9:7. Genesis refers to Isaac, whom God is asking Abraham to offer. Meanwhile, Mark talks about Jesus, whom is referred to by a voice from a cloud as "my son". This then educates us that there is a direct correlation between Isaac and Jesus in the Bible.

Three words stand out as similar between the two verses. First is "son". Some translate the Greek "huios" as "child" in Genesis (e.g., NAB); but actually, the word simply means "son". This is exactly the same word used in Mark. The sonship of Isaac/Jesus is emphasized and it alerts the readers to the Father-Son relationship of Abraham and Isaac and of God the Father and Jesus. Second is "your/my". This possessive pronoun underlines the special ownership aspect of the phrase. Isaac is Abraham's own, and so is Jesus to God the Father. Third is "love/beloved". Both Isaac and Jesus are referred to as beloved by Abraham and God the Father, respectively.

In a nutshell, Isaac and Jesus are both referred to as their fathers' own beloved sons. The three words (son, your/my, beloved) portray the great importance of Isaac/Jesus to their fathers. They are their fathers' precious ones, parts of their lives, and extensions of their joy and happiness. However, this fact also brings tension to the two narratives since they are both to be sacrificially offered: Isaac in Mt. Moriah, Jesus in Mt. Calvary. But the fathers in both narratives, despite the pain it would inflict on them, allowed it, all for the greater good. Nonetheless, this love is not only the fathers', it is a mutual thing as both Isaac and Jesus obediently offered themselves to be sacrificed. Fathers love sons, and vice-versa.

If we relate this discourse to every Filipino with Philippines being the fatherland, it is like hearing: "you are my very own citizen, you are well-loved". This is so soothing to hear especially today that we remember the rebirth of our democracy: the 32nd anniversary of the EDSA revolution. Dubbed as the first un-bloody revolution in the world, this momentous event toppled down an administration characterized with corruption, dictatorship, and disrespect of human rights. What made it possible is the unity of the sons of the Philippines in heeding the voice calling for more love of the fatherland by setting it free. But our fatherland is truly saddened when this spirit is not maintained, and much worse... forgotten as we become disinterested in fighting for lasting peace and freedom especially now when a similar predicament is on the rise. If this love of the fatherland is not displayed by us, we have tragically turned ourselves into prodigal sons.

Nevertheless, our fatherland continues to love all citizens. But when this love becomes a one-sided affair, our president is maybe right in his jest that it will be better to be a mere province of China.

- Rex Fortes, CM