Lent and Transfiguration

Yearly, on the Second Sunday of Lent, the Catholic Lectionary has the Gospel passage of the Transfiguration from one of the three synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark or Luke). This might seem a little odd. After all, the Transfiguration, on its surface, seems so distant from the spiritual preparations of Lent. It seems too hopeful, too positive to fit. But that would be a mischaracterization of the Transfiguration. First, what is the Transfiguration? Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He shares the same divinity, the same nature as God the Father and the Holy Spirit, but they are three persons. He became incarnate, taking on human nature with all that goes with it except sin. He has a human body and soul, intellect and will. This humanity ‘hid’ His divinity. In the Transfiguration, occurring on Mount Tabor, that divinity was allowed to shine forth. He became dazzling. But more important, He conversed with Moses (giver of the Law) and Elijah (the most important of the prophets) from the Old Testament, both symbols of Jesus’ mission and ministry, that He would fulfill the Law and the prophets. The apostles Peter, James and John witnessed this vision of Christ in His glory. Peter did not know how to respond - he states, “Lord, it is good that we are here. Let us build three tents…” He recognizes the beauty of the revelation, but desires to stay there (though the tents might refer to the Jewish Festival of Booths, when they lived in tents in honor of the harvest). But Jesus was about something else. Especially in Luke’s account, it is clear that Moses and Elijah are speaking of His “Exodus” - that He was going to be the way to salvation through His death on the Cross. The Transfiguration was a means of preparing for the scandal of the Cross. St. Peter says as much in his letter, when he wrote that we are not following cleverly devised myths because he was a witness of the glory of Jesus Christ’s glory in the Transfiguration (2 Peter). What does this have to do with us and our Lenten preparations? We might be like St. Peter. We might recognize the beauty of the Risen Christ, and we might become too comfortable, we want to stay comfortable. But Christ invites us to enter into His death and resurrection, especially in this Lenten season. Hearing of the Transfiguration might invite us to consider the glory we have witnessed in the Resurrection, and remind ourselves that the glory we see is preparing us for something greater. We must be willing to follow Christ through this Lenten season into the glory not only of His Resurrection, but to the eternal life He died to give us. The Transfiguration reminds us that something more, something greater, awaits. We need to get uncomfortable, though. But we might recall, as Pope Benedict XVI stated, we are not made for comfort. We are made for greatness. We prepare for greatness in Lent!

3rd Sunday Lent C '19 - Figs

Using the news of the day, Jesus tells his hearers to produce fruits of repentance. His image of figs reminds us not to get comfortable. Readings are found at https://ift.tt/2UUCCFk Give feedback at https://goo.gl/forms/iG1Tvk4cHTGhdOWz2
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2nd Sunday Lent C '19 - Comfort

As the Lord is transfigured in the presence of Peter, James, and John, He reminds them of who He is and prepares them for the discomfort of the Cross, but the glory of the Kingdom. Readings are found at https://ift.tt/2THvmAm Give feedback at https://goo.gl/forms/iG1Tvk4cHTGhdOWz2
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1st Sunday Lent C '19 - Temptation

Jesus Christ endures temptation, and provides the model for us. Do we see how our temptations are to selfishness? Readings are found at https://ift.tt/2XHeKXQ Give feedback at https://goo.gl/forms/iG1Tvk4cHTGhdOWz2
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Ash Wednesday C '19 - Melt

As we enter the sacred season of Lent, are we able to let the Lord melt us? Readings are found at https://ift.tt/2XHeKXQ Give feedback at https://goo.gl/forms/iG1Tvk4cHTGhdOWz2
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8th Sunday C '19 - Blind

Jesus teaches that the blind cannot lead the blind, and that those blinded by their own faults cannot heal others of theirs. Where are we blind? Readings are found at https://ift.tt/2Vx7Pyd Give feedback at https://goo.gl/forms/iG1Tvk4cHTGhdOWz2
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7th Sunday C '19 - Mercy

David is a man after God's own heart, but not because of what he did in sin, but how he treated others with mercy. Christ calls us to mercy and forgiveness, too. Do we see it as strength? Readings are found at https://ift.tt/2E4Yjvg Give feedback at https://goo.gl/forms/iG1Tvk4cHTGhdOWz2
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