“Transfigured & Transformed”
2nd Sunday in Lent – B
One dark night a Priest was walking in a dangerous neighborhood and was spotted by a Robber hidden in the dark shadows. The robber did not know it was a priest because the Priest had his coat buttoned up to his chin. When the Priest walked closer to the robber he jumped out, pointed his gun, and told the Priest to give him all his money. When the Priest opened his coat to get his wallet the robber saw the Priest’s Roman Collar and said: “Oh, I am sorry Father, I can’t steal from you. So, the Priest reached in his other pocket and grabbed a cigar and offered it to the robber, who said: Oh, no thanks Father, I gave up smoking for Lent.”
One would think that the experience of the robber would have transformed him, changed him, but we do not know anything more about the robber. The obvious point is that whatever spiritual practice we choose to take on during Lent, it is supposed to change us, it is supposed to make us better people. In our gospel story it seems that Peter, James, and John were changed by the experience of Jesus being transfigured right in front of their eyes. Changes come in various ways. Some are changes for the good, some are not. Today’s readings give us a glimpse of the most profound change any human will ever face: the end of life in this world and the beginning of life in the next.
Did you notice that the themes of death and life are present in all our readings today? Abraham’s son Isaac came within minutes of having his life taken from him, but God spared it.
St. Paul reminds us that Jesus’ death and resurrection is an assurance of God’s love for us. In the gospel, Jesus’ transfiguration is not only a revelation of divine glory hidden in Jesus, but the transfiguration is closed tied to Jesus’ death and resurrection. How do these readings touch us? What feelings do we have after hearing them?
Our season of Lent prepares us to celebrate again what Jesus has done for us in his death and resurrection.
In Lent, we are called to enter new life with Christ; to be transformed by our relationship with him, so that we can enter fully into glory with him one day. Transformed: verb, to make a thorough or dramatic change in the form, appearance, or character of.
Someday, as Jesus was changed, we too will be changed if we remain in union with him. Jesus was transfigured in glory and his disciples were able to see what he would like in eternal life – I hope that would be enough to change anyone. Transfigured: verb, to transform into something more beautiful or elevated.
My sisters and brothers, if we continue to share in Jesus’ life through faith, if we continue to look for ways to change our former behaviors and habits, if we celebrate the Sacrament of Confession, if we open ourselves up to God’s awesome grace and desire to be more Christ-like, if we strive to repent and believe in the gospel then we too will be transformed and transfigured into the people God has created us to be. Then, when we lay aside this present life with its joys and sorrows, its triumphs, and its weaknesses, we will enter a glorious new world which Jesus has opened to us. Then we too will be transfigured in glory!
God bless us, and all who live in simplicity of heart.
Genesis 22:1-2, 9-13, 15-18
Romans 8:31-34
Mark 9:2-10