Second Sunday of Lent
There was an unintended effect of my dad’s passing away. I did not plan it. I did not anticipate it. I did not expect it. This simply happened! My dad’s death took my faith in God to a new height. I believe in God now more than ever before. I believe in God in a way that I have not believed before. In fact, not just as a priest but as an ordinary believer, this is a new phase in my faith life. While, the term “transfigured” may not be the appropriate term, I believe that my faith has undergone a transfiguration like transformation. It’s hard to explain, but faith has taken on a new meaning. Can you recall an experience where your life turned over a new phase as if in a miraculous way?
The transfiguration of Jesus was a unique event in his life and in the life of Peter, James and John. No other event comes close to the intensity and the awesomeness of the transfiguration. The only event that comes a little close is the baptism of Jesus. What is the meaning of the transfiguration of Jesus? What significance did it have for Peter, James, and John? What does the transfiguration of Jesus mean for us? Here are my three points for today.
1. Why the transfiguration? When Jesus had first called Peter, James, and John at the sea shore, they had asked the question, “Master, where do you live?” Jesus had replied, “Come and see!” They did. For three years, they lived with him, listened to his words, saw his miracles, and followed his teachings. However, they had not seen it all. Thus far, they had seen the human Jesus but not grasped his true identity. Now it was time to see and experience Jesus’ divinity. Hence the transfiguration. However, there is more. Thus far they had seen Jesus’ life. Soon they would see his death. Jesus’ brutal death and the sinister prejudice, the tragic betrayal, and the senseless hate that would lead to it, was something that the disciples could not be prepared for. The transfiguration prepared the disciples for Jesus’ suffering and death. More importantly though, because the transfiguration revealed the divinity of Jesus, it would help the disciples to comprehend that it was the Son of God who was being put to death for human redemption. The experience of the transfiguration will take them through the grueling days ahead. This truly was a new phase in their life. Their faith in Jesus and the demands of faith will reach a qualitatively new phase.
2. We Must Stand Before God Alone. There is a detail in the story of the transfiguration, that has bypassed me thus far, but got my attention this time. Luke says that after glorious event ended, Jesus was left alone. This is intriguing to me. In fact, from now until the resurrection he would feel very alone. The voice that spoke “This is my chosen son; listen to him,” was not heard during the crucifixion. The voice that spoke at his baptism was silent on Calvary. On Calvary, the skies did not open. On Calvary, there was no dove. On Calvary, there and no voice from above. Would it not be on the cross that it would helped him to hear that voice again? In fact, Jesus felt abandoned. He cried out, “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” What does this mean for us? While faith is lived in a community, our salvation must be worked on as individuals. When we stand before God, we must stand alone. Yes, it’s true that other people’s prayers help, but, in the final analysis, we will be judged by our actions. Are we ready to stand before God alone? Think about it this Lent.
3. Lessons from the Transfiguration? Three lessons:
- Jesus calls each one of us, like his disciples, to “come and see.” What the disciples ultimately saw was very different than what they came to see. What did the disciples expect to see? What do we expect to see? Are we willing to be surprised by God? Will we allow God to be God?
- Jesus spent three years with his disciples. At the end of his ministry, Jesus took the disciples up the mountain for their deepest experience of his divinity. How deep are we willing to allow Jesus to take us? What phase of faith are we in now? Are we ready to stand before God alone?
- At the end of the transfiguration, Peter wanted to make tents and stay up there? Jesus brought them down the mountain to face life. Jesus taught them that faith is lived down the mountain. How does our faith and life come together? Where does our mountain experiences mingle with life? How will this Eucharist affect the rest of the week?
May our Eucharist today be our transfiguration experience.
- Fr. Satish Joseph