Word of the Week

2nd Sunday of Lent

Commonwealth: Politeuma (Gk.): meaning, “citizenship; a state, commonwealth”. This term is understood as the commonwealth of citizens.

The CCC reminds us that “When the Church prays ‘our Father who art in heaven’, she is professing that we are the people of God, already seated ‘with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, and ‘hidden with Christ in God’ (Eph.2:6; Col.3:30); yet at the same time, ‘here indeed we groan, and long to put on our heavenly dwelling’” (2 Cor.5:2). In doing so, the Church reminds us of our earthly mission as sons and daughters of God to give glory to God in all that we do (cf. CCC, 294).

Politeuma can be found only one time in Paul’s Letter to the Philippians. In this usage, Paul is encouraging the Philippians to press towards the goal of heaven in the imitation of himself (cf. Phil.3: 17-21). His exhortation to stand firm in the way of the Lord (cf. Phil.4:1) was a call to the many residents of Philippi who were esteemed because of their high-ranking Roman citizenship. He wanted them to understand that their privileges by virtue of their earthly citizenship were incomparable to our commonwealth that is in heaven (cf. Phil.3:21) (cf. Hahn and Minch, 21). 

The focus of the Second Sunday in Lent has all eyes fixed on the brilliant light of the Transfiguration (Lk.9:28-36). As discussed in previous columns, it is always worth noting the events that surround the particular event that is being examined, in this case the Transfiguration. What is of central importance for us this week, is what Luke hits upon just before the account of the Transfiguration: Christ as the Master to be followed, even unto his death (Lk.9:23-27). Point to ponder, the glory and grandeur of the Trinity and the pain and suffering of the cross are never to far apart. Every peak has a neighboring valley, and for the disciples, every experience of the “dazzling white” is accompanied by nights of darkness. As we reflect upon nature of life and all its undulations, let us keep our eyes fixed upon our citizenship in heaven, while citizens of earth. Let us remember that we are not just a reflection of our earthly parents, but also a reflection of our heavenly Father, created in his image and likeness.

 

“Christians live in their homeland, but as guests; as citizens they participate in all things, but are detached from all things as strangers. Every foreign country is a homeland to them and every homeland a foreign country.... They dwell on earth but are citizens of heaven.”   

--Epistle to Diognetus

Primary Texts Consulted

• Catholic Bible. Suggested trans. Revised Standard Version, Catholic Edition.
• Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2nd Edition, 1997.
•  Hahn, Scott and Minch , Curtis. Ignatius Catholic Study Bible: Paul’s Letter to the Phillipians, Colossians, Philemon.  RSV, 2nd ed. San Francisco : Ignatius Press, 2001.

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