Today’s readings take us into the realm of signs, symbols, promise, and revelation. Take a moment to think about the strongest sign of God’s presence in your life and the greatest symbol of your faith.

A lot of people come to church hoping to get a glimpse of God. We go through life, like Abram, trying to live decently and according to God’s ways. Yet, like Abram, we find ourselves asking, “How am I to know” that God’s promises are true.

Abram was 75 and still living with his father when God first came calling with a new plan for his future. No wonder he was so willing to get up and go! For their part, most teenagers would agree that getting out is the first step to getting a life.

There’s a moment in the movie Stand by Me when the young hero, Gordie, is bestowed a gift from nature. He and his pals are on an adventure of the type that young boys are drawn to—following railroad tracks out of town and into the wilderness.

It was no surprise who won the award of excellence. Year after year for nearly 15 consecutive, he was top in his field. With a new panel of judges every year no one suspected favoritism. In fact, no one doubted his work was the best. The question was how did he keep so consistently good?

Those of us who live in the big city miss a whole lot when it comes to the beauty of nature that is all around us. On my first time being out in the country, on a boat in the middle of a calm lake late at night, I remember looking up. I had never seen so many stars before in my life.

Saint Paul talks about being aware of who you are imitating. When I ask parents to list some of their biggest challenges they often mention the effects of peer pressure.

The Lord is our light and our salvation. As we continue our Lenten pilgrimage, we turn, like Abraham, to our God who protects us and responds to our needs.

The Genesis story utilizes an ancient rite in which the divided animals symbolize the fate of those who break the covenant, and the birds of prey represent anything that might threaten the covenant.

As well as the vision of Christ’s glory . . .  something else occurred which was to serve as a vital confirmation, not only of the disciples’ faith, but of ours as well. From a cloud on high came the voice of God the Father saying: This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased. Listen to him. —Saint Cyril of Alexandria (376-444)