Second Sunday of Lent Reflection

Dare to Believe that Christ is Calling You 
Elisabeth Roman, M.P.A., Board of Directors

The readings for the Second Sunday of Lent invite us into a journey of faith that begins with trust and leads to transformation. In the first reading, God calls Abram: “Go forth from the land of your kinsfolk… to a land that I will show you.” Abram responds with courage and trust, stepping into an unknown future guided only by God’s promise.

This call speaks powerfully to young people today. Youth is a time of decisions, dreams, uncertainty, and new beginnings. Like Abram, young people often feel they are being asked to move forward without having all the answers. Lent reminds us that faith does not begin with certainty—it begins with trust. Abram did not know where God would lead him, but he trusted that God had a plan. In the same way, young people are invited to trust that God is guiding their lives even when the path is not clear.

The Gospel of the Transfiguration deepens this message. Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up the mountain, and they see him transformed in glory. The disciples hear the voice of the Father: “This is my beloved Son… listen to him.”  The Transfiguration is a moment when the disciples glimpse who Jesus truly is. It shows them that behind the struggles and suffering that lie ahead is the promise of glory. Lent is like climbing that mountain. It is a time when we step away from distractions to see Jesus more clearly.

For young people, this is especially important. Many young people today struggle with identity, pressure, anxiety, discrimination, racism, and the fear of the future. The Transfiguration reminds them that they are not meant to live in darkness or confusion. God reveals light in the midst of uncertainty. Jesus does not only transform on the mountain—he also invites his disciples to be transformed. The disciples wanted to stay on the mountain. Peter said, “It is good that we are here.” But Jesus leads them back down into ordinary life. This is an important lesson for young people: faith is not only about powerful moments—retreats, pilgrimages, or youth gatherings. Faith must continue in daily life: at school, at home, and among friends.

And Lent is not just about giving something up. It is about becoming who God created us to be. St. Paul reminds us that God “called us to a holy life… according to his own purpose and grace.” Young people are not accidents or afterthoughts. Each one has a calling and a mission.

This Second Sunday of Lent invites young people to ask three questions:

• What is God asking me to leave behind so I can grow?
• Where is God leading me, even if I do not yet understand?
• How is Jesus calling me to be transformed?

Lent is a journey from fear to trust, from confusion to clarity, from doubt to hope, from darkness to light. Like Abram and the disciples, young people are invited to walk forward with faith, knowing that God is leading them toward a future filled with promise and light. And perhaps the most important message for young people this Lent is simple: God is calling you by name, inviting you to trust Him, follow Him, and become the person you were created to be.

These are not easy times to grow up in. The world can feel uncertain, divided, and overwhelming. Many voices try to tell you who you are and what your life should be, and sometimes it can be hard to know which voice to follow. But on the mountain of the Transfiguration, God speaks clearly: “This is my beloved Son… listen to him.”
In a world full of noise, Jesus is the voice that tells you the truth about who you are. You are not defined by fear, pressure, social media, or the expectations of others. You are beloved. You are chosen. You are called.

Lent is your invitation to climb the mountain with Jesus — to step away from the noise long enough to discover that your life has meaning and direction. Even if you do not see the whole path ahead, God is already walking with you. He is shaping you into someone strong, compassionate, courageous, and faithful. Do not be afraid of the future. God is already there. Do not be afraid of your questions. God welcomes them. Do not be afraid of your weakness. God works through it. The world does not need perfect young people — the world needs young people who trust God enough to follow Him.

This Lent, dare to believe that your life has a purpose greater than comfort, popularity, or success. Dare to believe that Christ is calling you personally. Dare to walk forward in hope. Because the same Jesus who was transfigured in glory is calling you to become the light for this generation.