On the Second Sunday of Lent, the Church invites us to reflect on Jesus’s transfiguration, an event that revealed his divine glory. The Gospel of St. Luke tells us that Jesus goes up the mountain to pray, and during this prayer, his face changes, radiating the splendor of God’s glory.
Elsewhere in Sacred Scripture, we find similar examples, such as the shining face of Moses after his encounter with God. We may have had similar experiences during deep prayer, Eucharistic adoration, or meditating on the Word of God when our hearts were filled with joy, peace, and inner light so that the people around us could experience the light emanating from us. Light from being in the presence of God.
In the Transfiguration, Moses and Elijah appear, symbolizing the Torah, the Law, and the Prophets. The Law and the Prophets find their fulfillment in the person of Jesus. Together, Moses, Elijah the Prophet, and Jesus represent the entirety of Scripture. The Transfiguration emphasizes that the encounter with Jesus is intrinsically linked to engagement with the Word of God. To witness the glory of God, we must ascend the high mountain of Scripture, allowing it to illuminate our lives.
Luke is the only evangelist who tells us the theme of Jesus’ conversation with Moses and Elijah: they speak of his exodus, his journey to the cross, and his resurrection. The disciples, however, do not understand; they fall asleep, as they will also do in the garden of Gethsemane. In the Disciples, we see ourselves often distracted or tired when God calls us to watch and pray.
Feeling overwhelmed by the experience, Peter longs to build tents, wanting to stay in that special moment. However, the voice of the Father prompts us to do only one thing: “Listen to him.”
Lent is a time that serves us to listen to the Word of God, his will, and his presence in our daily lives.
Let us ask God this week that we may embrace his light, which will transform us and guide us forward with faith, trust, and hope.
May God bless you on this Lenten journey!
Fr. Lalo Jara, OFM
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