Lent, 2nd Sunday. Children suffer when they are separated from their parents by gay marriage or anonymous donation. We all have a yearning to both know our parents and be loved by them. God understands this yearning because He put it there. God knows that Jesus needs to hear his Father say, "I love you." He said it once at Jesus' baptism and now again at the Transfiguration. Jesus is clothed in his white Baptismal garment and radiating His true identity: "You are my beloved Son." Jesus has to hold on to this truth as he walks the road to the cross, trusting beyond hope that His Father still loves Him.

Why would God sacrifice His Beloved Son for us? God sacrifices His Son so Abraham doesn't have to. He gives Jesus for Isaac and for all of us. God provides the Lamb, and it's the Lamb of God.

Baptism makes us God's beloved Sons and Daughters. We receive the same garment and we are anointed with the same oil. God loves each Son like an only Son. Just like Jesus going to the cross, so it can be hard for us to believe in God's love in the midst of suffering. "Father," we need to say, "help me believe in your love for me. Help me live your love for me." This is why we gather every Sunday morning to renew the truth of our Sonship - believe more fully in our Heavenly Father, let the truth of our Sonship penetrate our hearts. Then we are sent out as the Beloved Sons and Daughters to bring the good news to all the rest of God's children. We tell them We know who you truly are: Beloved Children on the Road to Resurrection.

(1 Mar 2015)

Point to Ponder: Catechism of the Catholic Church paragraphs 1241, 1269 and 1270:

1241 The anointing with sacred chrism, perfumed oil consecrated by the bishop, signifies the gift of the Holy Spirit to the newly baptized, who has become a Christian, that is, one "anointed" by the Holy Spirit, incorporated into Christ who is anointed priest, prophet, and king.

1269 Having become a member of the Church, the person baptized belongs no longer to himself, but to him who died and rose for us. From now on, he is called to be subject to others, to serve them in the communion of the Church, and to "obey and submit" to the Church's leaders, holding them in respect and affection. Just as Baptism is the source of responsibilities and duties, the baptized person also enjoys rights within the Church: to receive the sacraments, to be nourished with the Word of God and to be sustained by the other spiritual helps of the Church.

1270 "Reborn as sons of God, baptized must profess before men the faith they have received from God through the Church" and participate in the apostolic and missionary activity of the People of God.

Point to Discuss: Read Katy Faust's letter: Dear Justice Kennedy: An Open Letter from the Child of a Loving Gay Parent

What is the argument that is underlying the points she makes? Do you agree or disagree? What are your reasons for believing what you believe?

Point to Reflect: Consider Caraviggo's Sacrifice of Isaac