Second Sunday of Lent (Year C)

Gen 15.5-12, 17-18;
Ps 26;
Phil 3.17-4.1
Lk 9.28-36

THE TRANSFIGURATION: A BEACON OF HOPE AND A FORETASTE OF GOD’S GLORY

Today’s Gospel presents a striking portrayal, particularly relevant to the Lenten season. Our Lord ascended a mountain accompanied by His inner circle of three disciples—those first called and the same who would later witness His suffering in Gethsemane. As He prayed on the mount, His appearance transformed before them, granting them a revelatory glimpse into His glorified body, a prelude to the post-resurrection splendor.

In this moment, Jesus is flanked by Moses and Elijah, two pivotal figures from the Hebrew Scriptures and History who embody the Law and the Prophets. Moses, as the instrument through which the Law was revealed, and Elijah, holding a significant role as a prophet, together underscore the continuity of God’s revelation. Their presence during the Transfiguration emphasizes that the Law and the Prophets had already foreshadowed the necessity of Christ’s suffering. Christ, therefore, fulfills and transcends the religious traditions of Moses and Elijah within His person.

What is unveiled in the Transfiguration is critical for understanding the disciples’ state of mind. Likely distressed and disoriented by Christ’s predictions of His impending suffering and death, they exhibited a faith that was present yet limited. While they possessed the virtue of faith, they lacked profound hope, the latter being essential for them to endure the trials ahead—in particular, the journey to Jerusalem, which signifies His sacrificial death. It is through this death that He attains glory, inviting us to partake in that same exaltation.

This theme resonates with our first reading from Genesis, which depicts God’s covenant with Abram. Before being given the name Abraham, he awaited the sacrificial animals to be consumed in flames, he fell into a deep trance. This narrative illustrates God’s commitment to an ongoing relationship with humanity, symbolized by the divine presence of the flaming torch. It serves as a reminder of God’s mercy and His willingness to reinstate us within the covenant, regardless of our failings, as He desires a reconciled relationship.

Transitioning to our second reading, Paul’s letter to the Philippians articulates a profound theological truth: “Our homeland is in heaven, and from heaven comes the Savior we are awaiting, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transfigure these wretched bodies of ours into copies of His glorious body” (Phil 3:20-21). This promise of transformation provides encouragement and hope. It underscores the overarching narrative of redemption and the significance of enduring faith amidst adversity. Paul exhorts the community to maintain focus on their heavenly citizenship, rather than becoming ensnared by worldly distractions.

Thus, the Transfiguration offers a potent theme for reflection during Lent, inviting us into a deeper prayer life modeled on Christ’s own. It elucidates the rationale behind our voluntary acts of self-denial during this season, providing a foretaste of the hidden glory in Christ as we prepare for Holy Week. This luminous event serves as a beacon of hope, leading us toward the glorious reward promised to those who persevere—a benediction I wish for us all.

Fr Joseph Osho