2LB24.    Genesis 22:1-2, 9a, 10-13, 15-18.  “God put Abraham to the test.”  By his willingness to offer up his son, Abraham showed how devoted and obedient he was to God.  God in turn showed how devoted he was to Abraham by promising him “descendants as countless as the stars of the sky and the sands of the seashore.”

Mark 9:2-10.   “Jesus took Peter, James, and John and led them up a high mountain.  Ordinarily Jesus’ divinity was hidden by his humanness.   Jesus used his miracles to reveal his divinity and messianic calling.  However, in his transfiguration event Jesus was clearly shown to be the divine Son of God.  The Transfiguration was meant to put the horror of the crucifixion in its proper perspective.  By his sacrifice on the cross Jesus had conquered sin.  The crucifixion that was in the eyes of the world complete defeat was in reality total victory over the world that had chosen not to belong to God. (John 16:33)

Romans 8:31b-34.  “Brother and sisters: If God is for us, who can be against us?”  Everything and everyone who chooses to fight against God is defeated and worthless.  All goodness is ours because we belong to source of all goodness, God.  “It is God who acquits us” because “Jesus Christ” “intercedes for us.”