THE SCANDAL OF THE CROSS

The transfiguration of Jesus Christ was a moment to help the apostles and disciples live through the scandal of the cross or the suffering. Throughout history, Jesus’ suffering has been unimaginable or incomprehensible.

How can God Almighty be weakened and allow Himself to be broken by humanity? Suffering, pain and death are never attributes of God. Thus, the scandal of the cross is an apostolic disillusion that God’s wisdom addresses through the mystery of the Transfiguration.

Hence, the splendour and glory of the transfiguration are the awaiting glory of Christ’s resurrection after his suffering and death.

TRANSFIGURATION: THE RESPONSE OF GOD TO THE SCANDAL OF THE CROSS OR SUFFERING

The transfiguration of Christ before his apostles Peter, James and John is the response of God to the scandal of the cross of Christ or suffering in Christendom. Often, at Lent, we hear too much about sufferings, sacrifices, or the cross, messages, and talks like these can be very discouraging to hear. The transfiguration shows us the glory that awaits us after sufferings or sacrifices of Lenten penitential practices,

This is why the transfiguration story is among the readings of Lent to encourage preservation with our Lenten sacrifices. This celebration enables us to see beyond our immediate suffering to glory ahead. With God, no sacrifice goes unrewarded, and there is always a price for faithfulness and perseverance.

OUR THEMES: SCANDAL OF THE CROSS AND THE CROWN OF GLORY

The scriptural readings of this second Sunday offer us the hope of Christian life through renouncing ourselves and taking up our crosses to follow Christ. They show us that Lenten observances through prayer, charity, and self-sacrifices are ways to eternal glory with God.

Therefore, the readings invite us to work with the Holy Spirit to transform our lives by renewing them during Lent. So that they radiate the glory and grace of the transfigured and resurrected Lord. This is the Spirit-filled life we should live at Lent.

FIRST READING: GENESIS 15:5-12, 17-18

Abram´s calling to dive into the unknown of uncertainties was assured with a profound promise of blessings and protection. Hence, the Father of Faith took the giant step that changed and transformed his life and his descendants.

God invited Abraham to dive into the unknown or uncertainties of life, the leap of faith in GOD.

When God calls us, we respond by faith sacrificing, all to follow and do his will. Then there come the abundant blessings in our lives. That is how we come to merit the grace and favour of God through a commitment to his invitation to us to leave our comfort zone to do his will.

Hence, the first reading describes the transformation of Abram. A pagan patriarch into a believer in the one God (Who would later “transform” Abram’s name to Abraham). Therefore, the first covenant of God with Abraham’s family was a reward for Abraham’s Faith and obedience to God’s unconditional blessings.

PSALM 26 OR 27

The psalmist in the responsorial Psalm (Ps 27) declares the Faith of Abraham, singing, “I believe that I shall see the bounty of the Lord in the land of the living.”

For him, the Lord is his light, help, stronghold, life and salvation. There is no course for fear or panic. With God, there is goodness and blessings for faithfulness.

SECOND READING: PHILIPPIANS 3:17-4:1

Paul teaches the way of faithfulness to God through the imitation of Christ and him. He challenges the Christian community of Philippi to the rare quality of a genuine preacher. That his followers imitate his exemplary Christian life.

Equally, he cautioned us to the awareness of making material things or persons our idols. Hence, we should be mindful not to live a life that makes us enemies of the cross of Christ.

Finally, he encouraged us to embrace a transformation and detachment to conform ourselves to heavenly glory. For this reason, our citizenship as Christians is a glorious one. Where our Lord Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour is also our joy and crown. This enables us to stand firm at Lent, despite its weariness, heaviness and dryness from pleasure and relaxation, which the body craves. Thereby no living like the enemies of the Cross, Pain and Death of Jesus Christ.

THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 9:28–36

The transfiguration of Jesus Christ before his apostles: Peter, John and James after announcing his passion, death and resurrection was to help them overcome the scandal of the cross. In the theology of God, it is incomprehensible the death of God.  It is something unimaginable suffering of a just, innocent and righteous man.

 The transformational experience of the transfiguration of Christ gave Peter, James and John a glimpse of the hidden glory of Jesus after his suffering and death.

The transfiguration also helped the apostles see beyond the scandal of the suffering or death of God. Above all, it enables them to make personal commitments or sacrifices to Christ.

THE INEVITABLE CROSS AND TRANSFIGURATION

At the unfolding of events in the life and ministry of Christ, Jesus’ lifestyle, preaching, and teachings of the TRUTH were very inconvenient to many. Hence, he realized that the way of the cross is the only way to save us.

However, this way of suffering, the cross and death was a big scandal to many people, including his closest friends and disciples. Thus, Jesus went with them to the place of the transfiguration. 

The readings of this second Sunday present us with two fundamental themes of the Lenten season.

THE TRANSFIGURATION AS PRAYER:

It is a Prayer that is a transformational experience in God’s presence.

It is a moment of patience waiting for God’s time, way and will in prayer.

It is a key moment of surrendering to the divine plan of God that leads to endless glory.

THE TRANSFIGURATION AS A HOPE OF FUTURE GLORY:

The crucible of life is a transformational process of living the Christian life.

Hence, there is a metamorphosis or transformation through sacrifices.

The way of the cross or suffering, which Christ took and invited us to take is the way of glory and salvation.

There is an indescribable glory that comes after the moment of suffering, pain and difficulties.

OUR LIFE EXPERIENCE AND LESSONS FROM THE TRANSFIGURATION BY ANTHONY KADAVIL

 (1) 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 become “transfigured” or transformed (transubstantiated) into the living Body and Blood Soul and Divinity of the crucified, risen, and glorified Jesus.

Just as Jesus’ Transfiguration was meant to strengthen the apostles in their time of trial, each holy Mass should be our source of Heavenly strength against temptations, and for our Lenten renewal.

(2) Each time we receive one of the Sacraments, we are transformed. For example, Baptism transforms us into sons and daughters of God and heirs of heaven. Confirmation makes us temples of the Holy Spirit and warriors of God. By the Sacrament of Reconciliation, God brings back the sinner to the path of holiness.

(3) The Transfiguration of Jesus offers us a message of encouragement and hope. In moments of doubt and during our dark moments of despair and hopelessness, the thought of our transfiguration in Heaven will help us to reach out to God and to listen to His consoling words to Jesus. “This is my beloved Son in Whom I am well pleased — listen to Him!” and so share the glory of His transfiguration.

(4) We need “mountain-top experiences” in our lives. We share the mountain-top experience of Peter, James, and John when we spend extra time in prayer during Lent. Fasting for one day can help the body store up spiritual energy. This spiritual energy can help us have thoughts that are far higher and nobler than our usual mundane thinking.

WHY THE TRANSFIGURATION

It is very appropriate we look at the event in Jesus’ life before the transfiguration, the great moment of Caesarea Philippi. Where after his messianic confession by Peter, he began to predict his passion and cruel death as the means to save mankind.

Jesus had a problem, a deep and profound sacrifice awaited him to make and humanly speaking was not comfortable. Like always he sought God´s will and comfort in prayer in a lonely and quiet place. Equally, he knew God´s faithful and victory was with him and he wanted his disciple to see this glory and victory that will come from his self-sacrifice to overcome the scandal of God´s suffering. 

TRANSFIGURATION AND CHRISTIAN PRAYER LIFE

Peter learnt three lessons ( when he woke to what was going on, his first reaction was to build three tabernacles, one for Jesus, one for Moses and one for Elijah): like him, we too can learn attitude in prayers.

(i) the experience of not saying or doing something but just being in God´s presence: “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalms 46:10) most time the best form of prayer is to be silent, to be listening, to be wondering, to be adoring in the presence of God.

(ii) Peter wished to wait upon the mountain slopes. He wished that great moment to be prolonged. There are moments of intimacy, of serenity, of peace, of nearness to God, which everyone has known and wished to prolong.

(iii) However, then comes the moment of facing life reality after prayer: the being to the doing or action of the aftermath of glorious prayer moment. That is, prayer is meant to help or provide strength, courage and grace for us to face our daily life and ministry and to enable us to walk the way of the Cross.

WHY LENTEN SEASON?

Why Lent season? Why go through the hassle of Lent? Why 40 days of uneasiness? What are the reasons for Lenten? Without clear, clean-cut answers to these probing questions. Lent becomes cumbersome, boring, annual rituals and mechanical. Therefore, the notion of Lent is incomprehensible without the anticipation of the Paschal joy.

TRANSFIGURATION: THE ANSWER TO WHY LENT

Lent is a penitential preparation of body and soul. It is an experience that leads us to the glory, joy and peace of Easter in Christ. Hence, going through the pain of penance, reparation, prayer, charity and preparation is worthwhile.

The transfiguration was a foretaste of what is to come, and it is the glory of the resurrection revealed to the apostles at

 We are all very uncomfortable with suffering and would not want to be familiar with pains and difficulties. Yet, Lenten season, we are invited to self-sacrifices with the number of sufferings, pains and difficulties that will lead us to the glorious Paschal of your resurrection and our victory over sin, evil and the devil.

Let us ask the Lord this Sunday of Lent to help us to learn to be with Christ in prayer. May those moments of profound and transformational energise us to face our daily life and its crosses witnessing to God’s Kingdom amidst struggles, pains, sufferings, and death.

OUR PRAYER FOR THIS SUNDAY

Lord Jesus Christ, the Great Promise and assurance to Abraham, your transfigured or glorified body before your passion, death and resurrection are good incentives to encourage us to live through the crucible, sacrifice and penance of Lent. May Lenten’s grace and mercy help us to prepare adequately for Easter Sunday and its paschal joy. Amen!