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. It is a celebration that 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.
TRANSFIGURATION: THE ANSWER TO WHY LENT
Why Lent season? Why go through the hassle of Lent? Why 40 days of uneasy? What are the reasons for Lenten penances or sacrifices? if there are no clear, clean-cut answers to these probing questions. Lent becomes cumbersome, boredom, annual rituals of mechanical observation without grace.
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, it is worthwhile to go through the pain of penance, reparation, prayer, charity and preparation. The transfiguration was a foretaste of what is to come, and it is the glory of the resurrection revealed to the apostles at
OUR THEME
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 enriching ways to eternal glory with God.
In other words, the way of the cross or suffering which Christ took and invited us to take as well. It is the way of glory and salvation. The process of living through the crucible of life is transformational to the Christian life. Hence, the common theme of readings is metamorphosis or transformation through sacrifices.
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.
The readings of this second Sunday present us with two fundamental themes of the Lenten season. Prayer is the transformational experience in the presence of God. And there is an indescribable glory that comes after the moment of suffering, pains and difficulties.
FIRST READING: GENESIS 15:5-12, 17-18
God invited Abraham to dive into the unknown or uncertainties of life, the leap of faith in GOD.
However, he had a profound promise of blessings and protection from GOD. Hence, the Father of Faith took the giant step that changed and transformed his life and descendants.
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 as 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: LUKE 9:28-36
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 of Jesus Christ before his apostles: Peter, John and James, after announcing his passion, death and resurrection were to overcome the scandal of the death of God or a just, innocent and righteous man.
The transfiguration helped the apostles see beyond the scandal of the suffering or death of God. Above all, it enables them to make personal commitments or sacrifice 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.
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 await 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.
OUR PRAYER
Lord Jesus Christ, we are all very uncomfortable with sufferings 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 devil. Help us to learn to be with you in prayer, and may those moments energize us to face our daily life of witness amidst struggles, pains, sufferings and death to self. Amen.
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