2nd Sunday of Lent Mar. 4, 2012 (Mk 1:12-15)
After six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John and led them up a high mountain apart by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no fuller on earth could bleach them. Then Elijah appeared to them along with Moses, and they were conversing with Jesus. Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, "Rabbi, it is good that we are here! Let us make three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." He hardly knew what to say, they were so terrified. Then a cloud came, casting a shadow over them; then from the cloud came a voice, "This is my beloved Son. Listen to him." Suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone but Jesus alone with them.
As they were coming down from the mountain, he charged them not to relate what they had seen to anyone, except when the Son of Man had risen from the dead. So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what rising from the dead meant.
As they were coming down from the mountain, he charged them not to relate what they had seen to anyone, except when the Son of Man had risen from the dead. So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what rising from the dead meant.
Just as our Lenten journey will conclude in the glory of Easter, so our life journey is directed to eternal life with God. The Transfiguration of Jesus shows us that our goal is a glorious life with God. This glorious moment on the mountain is a foretaste of the glory of Easter and of the life that awaits us as beloved sons of God.
But aside from showing us our destination, the Transfiguration also shows us our way - Jesus Himself. On the mountain, the Father calls Jesus His Beloved Son and commands us to listen to Jesus. Jesus is our brother who came to the world not only to die for our sins, but also to live a life that we ought to imitate. In His own life, Jesus showed us how to live as true children of the Father.
As we take this Lenten journey, Jesus should be our model and His Word should be our inspiration. We should follow His example of sacrifice, service and prayer. We should reflect on the Gospel, His story and His words, ever more deeply. We must learn to live as Jesus did.
Only in following Jesus' example of carrying the cross can we ever get to our glorious destination. Jesus descended from the mountain and faced the sufferings that awaited Him in Jerusalem. So too must we face the trials of everyday life, living as Jesus did, especially now as we try to change our lives this Lent.
Only in making that successful journey in following Jesus' way can we find the glory that was revealed in Jesus' Transfiguration. Then we could find the transfigured Jesus, with ourselves also transfigured, beloved of the Father.
But aside from showing us our destination, the Transfiguration also shows us our way - Jesus Himself. On the mountain, the Father calls Jesus His Beloved Son and commands us to listen to Jesus. Jesus is our brother who came to the world not only to die for our sins, but also to live a life that we ought to imitate. In His own life, Jesus showed us how to live as true children of the Father.
As we take this Lenten journey, Jesus should be our model and His Word should be our inspiration. We should follow His example of sacrifice, service and prayer. We should reflect on the Gospel, His story and His words, ever more deeply. We must learn to live as Jesus did.
Only in following Jesus' example of carrying the cross can we ever get to our glorious destination. Jesus descended from the mountain and faced the sufferings that awaited Him in Jerusalem. So too must we face the trials of everyday life, living as Jesus did, especially now as we try to change our lives this Lent.
Only in making that successful journey in following Jesus' way can we find the glory that was revealed in Jesus' Transfiguration. Then we could find the transfigured Jesus, with ourselves also transfigured, beloved of the Father.
I would compare the experience of the three disciples to my personal experience whenever I attend a retreat or any spiritual exercise of that sort. Retreats make me "high on God" so that, just like the three disciples, I am tempted to say to the Lord "I want to stay here with you forever". But the Lord would reply: NOT YET. THE JOURNEY IS FAR FROM OVER.
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