The One Holy Catholic Church is journeying with Jesus for the whole Season of Lent. The itinerary is the Easter Triduum. We [the Catholic Church] are children of the Easter Morning. Last Sunday, Jesus journeyed in the wilderness and encounters the human in him being tempted by the devil. Jesus opens the voyage of Lent with a lesson of self introspection and recognition of our sins. Our selves first! Jesus began by administering to himself making sure he is ready to take his ministry to the second level.
The Metamorphosis of Jesus
Today, Jesus secluded himself again from the crowd but this time he has company. Three of his disciples are with him. At the top of the mountain, Jesus metamorphosed into a very different being with all glory and splendor. The Gospel for today was taken from Matthew 17:1-9; the transfiguration of Jesus and twice we are reading this periscope in the liturgical year. We read this Gospel during Second Sunday of Lent which is today and the other one is during August 6 which is the Feast of Transfiguration. The same reading but two different occasions of different approaches to the word. For August 6, we contemplate on the transfiguration as a triumphant episode of Jesus’ ministerial life. Yet today, we contemplate in a very dramatic sense. It used to be like that because we want to set the tone for Lent; but as Fr. Gil use to say during Lent, Christianity is a “religion of joy” and that gives colorful enthusiasm to me.
We can look at the transfiguration of Jesus both as preview of resurrection and a preview of crucifixion. Jesus was crucified on top of a mountain with two men beside him. One is looking at him in despair and the other one with hope for eternal life. Moses lost his trust in God and died in Moab but Elijah remained optimistic and reached eternal life without dying. Crucifixion is not just a dramatic episode, it is also a moment of victor—Jesus won over sin. Transfiguration is a foretaste of the Passion of Jesus but also a glimpse of humanity’s redemption. That is why Christianity is a religion of joy. We need not maintain the mellow of lent but stay attuned with the Spirit of recollection and repentance.
The Gospel Narrative also presents another instance of persisting temptation from the devil. The devil made use of Peter to tempt Jesus so he will stay on the mountain. This may be the fourth temptation to Jesus. Looking at it the other way, it is also Peter tempted by the devil to lay back and deny the passion and the ministry which Jesus has to attend down the mountain. This stresses that Lent is an invitation to look inwardly and acknowledge our sinfulness and in coming to our senses, we take the courage to be reconciled to God.
Only when a person braves the painful experience of contrition that transfiguration can took place. Yes, Jesus wants all of us to experience transfiguration and restore the image and likeness of God that was once lost in Eden when men fell into sin. He encouraged the apostles; he still encourages us today at the Mass during the consecration of the Holy Host to witness the transfiguration. The bread turns into the Body of Christ. Jesus will not turn stones into bread, only bread into his body.
Next week, we will continue reflecting on the journey of Christ as we also journey this Lent. The journey of Christ to the Cross as set by the Holy Mother Church this liturgical year. For the meantime, let us look at ourselves and ask if we are looking at the transfiguration in a purely victorious manner or are we also tempting Jesus by asking things that should not be asked anyway? Are we experiencing transfiguration in our lives as we grow in holiness?
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