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The common theme of today’s readings is challenge for metamorphosis or transformation, especially during Lent. How? We have to transform our dull and sleepy
spiritual life into dynamic Christian life during Lent. Again, how? By cooperating with the grace of God and the strengthening of the Holy Spirit through prayer, fasting, and sharing our blessings with those in need. Result expected? A renewal of our spiritual life during Lent, as our Spirit-filled lives begin radiating Christ’s love and mercy around us.
Scripture lessons: The three readings refer to transfiguration on three mountains. The first reading explains how Abraham’s obedience and faith were transformed to blind obedience and trusting faith in his God, when Yahweh saved Isaac from being sacrificed on Mount Moriah, making Abraham the Father of Faith. In the second reading, St. Paul speaks about the Mount Calvary transfiguration of Jesus, the only begotten Son of God when instead of saving Him from death as He spared Isaac, God the Father permitted Jesus to die a shameful death by crucifixion, suffering horrible pain and humiliation. In other words, God showed His love for us by allowing the transformation of the glorious preaching and healing ministry of His Son to a tragic end – proving that God’s love has no limits. Today’s Responsorial Psalm (Ps 116) speaks of God’s distress at the death of anyone. “Too costly in the eyes of the LORD is the death of His faithful.” In the Transfiguration story in today’s Gospel, Jesus is revealed in His Heavenly glory, superior to Moses and Elijah on the Mountain of Transfiguration (Tabor or Hermon). The primary purpose of Jesus’ Transfiguration was to allow Him to consult His Heavenly Father and ascertain His plan for His Son’s suffering, death, and Resurrection.
God’s secondary aim was to make Jesus’ chosen disciples aware of Jesus’ Divine glory, so that they might discard their worldly ambitions and dreams of a conquering political Messiah, and
might be strengthened in their time of trial. A third aim was to give Jesus the conviction that He will continue to be the Son of God, His loving Father, even during His suffering and death. Finally, by describing the theophany of Jesus’ Transfiguration, the Gospel gives us a glimpse of the Heavenly glory awaiting those who do God’s will by putting their trusting Faith in Him.
Life messages:
- Every sacrament we receive transforms our lives. Baptism, for example, transforms us into children of God and heirs of heaven while Confirmation transforms us into brave witnesses of and warriors for Christ and Reconciliation transforms sinners into
- The “transfiguration” in the Holy Mass is the Source of our strength. In each Holy Mass, the bread and wine we offer on the altar are transformed into the crucified and risen, living body and blood of Jesus by transubstantiation. Just as Jesus’ transfiguration strengthened the apostles in their time of trial, each holy Mass should be our Source of Heavenly strength against temptations, and our renewal during Lent. In addition, our Holy Communion with the living Jesus should be the Source of our daily “transfiguration,” transforming our minds and hearts so that we may do more good by humble and selfless service to
- Christ’s Transfiguration gives us the message of encouragement and hope. In moments of doubt and during our dark moments of despair and hopelessness, pain and suffering, the thought of our future transformation in Heaven will help us to reach out to God and to listen to His consoling words: “This is my beloved son.” Let us offer our Lenten sacrifices to our Lord so that, through these practices of Lent and through the acceptance of our daily crosses, we may grow closer to Jesus in His suffering, may share in the carrying of His cross, and finally may share the glory of His second “transfiguration,” namely, His Resurrection.
Fr. Sebastian