We are familiar with the song “I Am With You” — a song that expresses the unfailing love of God: “I am with you… have faith…” It reveals the tender, dramatic, even romantic love of God for each one of us. This assurance — “I am with you” — is the foundation of faith. It is what Abraham trusted. It is what strengthened Jesus in His mission.

Abraham was called to leave his homeland and go to a land God would show him. He was asked to leave the familiar — his security, his culture, his plans — and step into the unknown. With deep trust in God’s providence, he obeyed. He believed that if God called him, God would also provide for him along the journey. His faith was not based on seeing the destination, but on trusting the One who called him.

In the Gospel, Jesus reveals His identity as the beloved Son of the Father. At the Transfiguration, His glory is manifested — a glimpse of what is to come. It is a moment of light, clarity, and consolation. Peter, overwhelmed by the beauty of the experience, says, “Lord, it is good for us to be here.” He even suggests building three tents, wanting to remain in that comforting moment.

But the mountain was not their final home.

Jesus did not remain in the glory of the Transfiguration. He came down the mountain. He continued toward Jerusalem. He continued toward the Cross. He continued to fulfill the will of the Father.

Christian life is not simply about enjoying spiritual consolations or remaining in comfortable places. It is an invitation to go beyond our comfort zones. It calls us to let go of the “baggage” that prevents us from seeing clearly God’s plan — our fears, attachments, resentments, unhealthy attitudes.

The Lenten season invites us to be like Abraham — to trust completely. It invites us to be transfigured into the likeness of Christ by stepping out of comfort, forgiving those who hurt us, letting go of unnecessary behaviors, and choosing love over pride.

Lent also calls us to confront our fears. There is a saying: Faith is not the absence of fear; it is the courage to move forward despite fear. Abraham surely felt afraid when he left everything behind. Jesus, in His humanity, must have felt the weight of what awaited Him. Yet both moved forward because they trusted the Father’s presence.

We too are called to continue God’s mission. To do so, we must “let go and let God.” We must conquer fear and embrace the challenges before us. We are called to say “yes” each day — yes to trust, yes to surrender, yes to love.

As Fr. Palau reminds us: It is not seeing that leads us to believe; it is believing that allows us to see. Faith means trusting before we fully understand. It means opening ourselves to the work of the Spirit within us, allowing God to transform what seems impossible into grace.

If we truly believe that God is with us, then we can walk through uncertainty with peace. We can descend from our mountains of comfort and embrace our mission. And in doing so, we become a blessing — and a blessing to others.

May this Lenten journey transfigure our hearts and strengthen our trust.

God bless us all.