Just as the Gospel for every first Sunday of Lent focuses on the temptation of Jesus, the Gospel for every second Sunday of Lent presents the story of the Transfiguration of Jesus. The temptation of Jesus frames our observance of Lent. St. Luke’s account of the Transfiguration gives us a glimpse of Jesus’ glory and prepares us for His suffering, death and resurrection, the “exodus that he was going to accomplish in Jerusalem” (Luke 9:31).
What captured my attention as I reflected on today’s readings were the experiences of Abram in the first reading and Peter, James and John in the Gospel. In these readings all four men experienced a transforming encounter with God. And for all four men it was terrifying. We begin with childless Abram to whom the Lord promised descendants as countless as the stars and land that Abram and his descendants would possess. But Abram needed more tangible proof so he asked, ““Lord GOD, how will I know that I will possess it?” God asked Abram to prepare a sacrifice of animals which he did. Then God put Abram into a trance “and a deep, terrifying darkness enveloped him” (GN 15:12). God sent Abram a vision of a “smoking fire pot and a flaming torch,” (signs of God’s presence) which passed between the sacrificed animals and Abram was assured that God’s promise would be fulfilled. However, he would never see it himself. All he gets is the promise of a peaceful death.
While Peter, James and John had an experience similar to that of Abram, the imagery is dramatically different. Instead of a vision of a flaming torch or smoking pot, they see Jesus’s face transformed and his clothing become “dazzling white.” With Jesus they see Moses and Elijah in their glory. God speaks to them, “This is my chosen son, listen to him.” The sense I get is of radiance and hope. Although the disciples don’t understand what has happened, they, unlike Abram actually will see the fulfilment of God’s glorious promise. Yes, they will witness the horror of the crucifixion, but they also will see the resurrected Christ. They will share in the New Covenant; our liberation from sin and death through the death and resurrection of Jesus.
We too are partners in the New Covenant. St. Paul makes the message real for us when he reminds us in the 2nd reading from Philippians 3:20-21 that, “Our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we also await a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. He will change our lowly body to conform with his glorified body by the power that enables him also to bring all things into subjection to himself.” Our transformation occurs when we listen to Jesus. It occurs when we immerse ourselves in scripture. It occurs when we take the message of the Gospel to heart. It occurs when we allow the light of Christ to shine through us. Transfiguration is not just something that occurred thousands of years ago. It can happen every day to each of us. “This is my chosen son, listen to him.”
Great and holy God,
on his journey to his suffering and death
you gave your Son Jesus a glimpse of the glory
that was awaiting him when he would rise from the dead.
In the drabness and sufferings of our lives
and in our frustrated efforts to transform this earth,
let a ray of hope shine on us and all our brothers and sisters;
hope that lifts us up and sustains us on the way to you
and on the often difficult road toward
your justice and love in this world.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen
