SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT, YR A
Gen 12:1-4; Ps 33
2Tim 1:8b-10; Mtt 17:1-9
JESUS: OUR COMPANION IN SUFFERING AND HOPE FOR GLORY
On the second Sunday of Lent, there is a movement from the desert of temptation to the mountain of transfiguration.
Our gospel for today is the gospel of the transfiguration of Jesus. Jesus takes three of his disciples up the mountain to pray. At the moment of prayer, he was transfigured in his appearance and two personalities of the Old Testament appeared with him: Elijah and Moses. Then from the clouds a voice spoke saying, “this is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him” (Mtt 17:5) Peter then suggested that they build three tents so that they remain there forever. But they had to go down to their lives.
The appearance of Elijah and Moses is very important because they are the embodiment of the Jewish scriptures (the Law and the Prophets). But both of them have something in common too. They both heard the voice of God. Moses heard God’s voice amid theophanic manifestations of smoke, thunder and earthquake (Exod. 19:18-19). Elijah also encountered God on the same mountain Horeb but not as Moses but in a gentle silent whisper. On the mountain of transfiguration, God speaks about Jesus and says, “this is my beloved son, listen to him”.
The most important prayer and primary principle of the creed is the “Shema”. It can be found in Deuteronomy 6:4-9. It begins “Hear Oh Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one“. The word “shema” is the Hebrew word for “hear” or “listen”. Interestingly, it is the Greek form of the same word that is used in our gospel today. The word is “akouete” which also means to hear or to listen.
It means that whereas God spoke to the people of the Old Testament by thunder and a whisper, he speaks to us through Jesus Christ. In and through him, his deeds and words, the Lord speaks to us clearly and definitely. In this Lenten season we must tune our hearts to the voice of Jesus calling us to the father. We must listen and let go of all the things in our lives that are a hindrance to a fruitful spiritual life.
This brings me to a second point. When we look at the section before our gospel (Mtt 16:21-28), Jesus had told them of his coming suffering and death. Peter took Jesus aside to remonstrate with him but Jesus rebuked him calling him satan. (Mtt. 16:22). It is possible that Jesus took them to the Mountain to show them that it is not all gloomy being his follower but there is glory awaiting all those who listen to his words and respond to it favorably. That is why regardless of Peters’ proposal to stay up there forever they still had to come down. He went down with them and lived with them until he was taken up to heaven. Even in his physical absence he never left them alone, he was always with them.
In our own struggles, anxieties, addictions and fears Jesus is always with us. We will battle a lot in our lives. Sufferings will come. We will lose our jobs. Corona will devastate the world and some lives and disasters may rip us apart. Sometimes our frustrations will be overwhelming. But the gospel today assures us that Jesus is with us. The assurance of the gospel is that all shall end well. The Lord will use all that is going on in our lives and turn it for our good.
The transfiguration of Jesus happened at the moment of prayer. In this season then, we are encouraged to pray sincerely and a lot more. We must spend more time in deep communion with the Lord. Sometimes the solution to our problems is just a prayer away. Sometimes when we are so disappointed, we just need to lift up our hands in prayer and courage will fill our hearts. Prayer transforms, equips and strengthens. Prayer itself is an act of faith and God will respond to that faith when activated.
May the Lord lead us in our Lenten journey. May he accompany us and preserve us for his own glory.
May the lord strengthen us.
God bless you.
By Fr. Delight Arnold Carbonu
