We have arrived at the second Sunday in Lent. I sometimes wonder why the designers of the Lectionary chose the readings they did. That’s not a complaint. Not, “Why on earth did they pick that reading!” Rather, what did the liturgists and scripture scholars have in mind by picking these readings for today? Their very choice puts a certain “spin” on how we might interpret the readings for our lives. If today’s Scriptures were for the first Sunday in Advent, or for the feast of Christ the King, would we interpret them differently? Well, this preacher would.
Let’s see then, what the Genesis reading, written long before the creation of Lent, might say to us today. First, we’ll look at the reading and then the light it shines for us on our Lenten season
The story of Abram and Sarai (their names will be changed to Abraham and Sarah) is a favorite for a lot of us. It’s a story of faith: two people responding to God’s command, “Go forth….” They knew where they were, but they didn’t know where they were going to wind up. They heard God speak to them and so they packed up, broke with their past and took off. (Gustavo Gutierrez, OP, described Abram’s vocation as “marked by rupture.” Doesn’t that describe what a call or vocation feels like?) They were advanced in age, but left the security of what they knew and the surroundings of family and community to go to a promised land. They didn’t know where it was, how to get there or when they would arrive. Still, trusting in God’s word they acted. They put their own plans aside and followed God’s directions, one step at a time.
God’s initiative started the journey, would guide it day by day and would see it through to completion. While Abraham and Sarah are very important biblical figures, God is the focus of their story. We are not told that Abraham and Sarah were particularly holy people. There is no preliminary, edifying tale about how special they were. Instead, the spotlight falls on God. It’s the question we can always ask throughout the Scriptures, “Who’s in charge here?” And the response is always the same, “God is!” God initiates a call and follows through by accompanying us and enabling us to respond all the way to fulfillment (See “Quotable” below).
Placing this Genesis story in its liturgical setting today affects how we hear it in the midst of our Lenten journey. Like Abraham, God finds us where we are at this moment and in current circumstances of our lives. The opening chapters in Genesis remind us that God created us in God’s image and likeness. While sin has besmirched that image in us, God is ready to renew it. We are invited to let go of our past attachments and trust in the free gifts of God’s mercy and blessings. We didn’t have to earn these gifts or beg for them. Again, this Lent, they are are readily available for us.
God has great plans, not just for the couple. All of us will also receive the blessing that started with God’s choice of Abraham and Sarah. The story of Genesis began with a blessing for the first humans. They chose their own path and were expelled from the Garden. Lent reminds us of the “side trips” we have made on our own journeys in life. But Lent also reminds us that God has not given up on us and is prepared to heal what has been broken by sin. Abraham and Sarah are examples that God is prepared to bless us side-trippers again.
We may not feel we deserve God’s graciousness. But merit is not what the story of Abraham and Sarah is about. With them the gifts of a new beginning and a new future are offered us today. Shall we leave behind what has weighed us down, pick ourselves up and set out again on a journey with God as our traveling companion? Trusting in the God of Abraham and Sarah, along with our worshiping community, we can pray with confidence the response to our first reading, “Lord, let your mercy be upon us as we place our trust in you.”
St. Paul reaffirms a similar message to the one we heard from Genesis. God has taken the initiative and calls us, “not according to our works, but according to God’s own design and the grace bestowed on us in Christ Jesus…”
Matthew’s Transfiguration account comes immediately after Jesus’ first prediction of his passion, death and resurrection (16:21) and before the second prediction (17:22-23). Jesus knows what awaits him in Jerusalem and he wants to instruct his disciples that they too must take up their cross in order to follow him. Like Abraham they will have to let go of their current way of living and begin a journey directed by Jesus to a new living place. After Jesus’ transfiguring event Peter wants to build a dwelling place and stay put. But that wasn’t what God had in mind for Abraham and Sarah, nor for Peter, or for any of Jesus’ disciples. God speaks to us this Lent inviting us once again to travel — to pick up our cross and follow Jesus’ lead. We are reminded that responding to Jesus’ invitation will cost us as we journey through the pains resulting from discipleship. We are also assured that God will never abandon us until our journey is complete.
Led by Jesus the disciples climbed the mountain. They left behind the stuff of their daily lives in the world — at least for a while: jealousies, aggression, pettiness, quarrels and misplaced priorities. Jesus led them away from the old into a new order where he was their light — “his face shone like the sun.” There on the high mountain two other mountain men appear: Moses, who received the 10 Commandments from God on the mountain and led his people from slavery to freedom and Elijah, who also met God on the mountain and led his people from pagan worship to the true God.
Lent is our journey to another mountain. We try to leave behind the old stuff of our lives and follow the direction of the voice, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased, listen to him.” In Lent we resolve again to be better listeners to Jesus and put behind us whatever “noise” deafens us to his word. Distracted by other voices we have not always chosen wisely. But here in Lent, on the mountain with Jesus, we resolve to be more attention to his voice, which invites us, “Rise, and do not be afraid.”
Last week we were in the desert with Jesus. There we remembered the temptations we yielded to in our lives. We also acknowledged the evil that exists in the world and its powers. This week we have ascended a high mountain with him. On the mountain we have hope, for we can see by the transfigured light of Christ what is possible for us. We hear the voice of God encourage us to listen to Christ, who is our good news of forgiveness in Lent.
AFRAID OF JESUS
The scene known as “the transfiguration of Jesus” concludes in an unexpected manner. A voice from the cloud surprises the disciples: “This is my Son, the Beloved”; the one with the face shining like the sun. “Listen to
Him.” Not to Moses, the Law giver; not to Elias, the Prophet. Listen only to Jesus.
“When they heard this, the disciples fell on their faces, overcome with fear.” They are afraid of being so close to the mystery of God, as well as of having to listen, from then on, only to Jesus. It is a unique encounter: the disciples specially chosen by Jesus, fallen on the ground, are overcome with fear and unable to respond to God’s voice.
Jesus’ reaction is really touching: “Jesus came up and touched them;”
He made them feel at ease, and they recovered their strength and confidence. Jesus spoke those unforgettable words: “Stand up; do not be afraid.” Come and follow me, and never be afraid to be my followers.
It is difficult to hide it any longer. Within the Church, we are afraid of listening of Jesus. It is a secret fear that paralyzes us from living in peace, courage and trust to follow in the steps of Jesus, our one and only Lord.
We are afraid of innovation, but not afraid of the immobility that is keeping us away from the men and women of today. It looks as if the only
thing that can motivate us in these times of profound changes, is to preserve and to repeat the past. What’s behind this fear? Is it fear of Jesus or being afraid of the “new skins” and the “new wine” of the Gospel?
We are afraid of celebrations that are more alive, creative and expressive of the faith of today’s believers, and we are not worried about the overwhelming disinterest and boredom of many of the good Christians with our current liturgical celebrations. They cannot appreciate or be moved by what is being celebrated. Do we really feel happier to see Jesus in those minutely repeated liturgical celebrations or is it that we are afraid of celebrating our faith with much more openness and creativity?
We are afraid of the freedom of those believers. We are worried about the people of God: they might speak up and say loudly what their aspirations are. We are afraid, too, that those same believers might listen to their own conscience and assume their responsibilities. In some cases, there is distrust towards religious of both sexes that seek to remain faithful to their prophetic charism received from God. Are we afraid to listen to what the Spirit may be saying to our Churches? Don’t be realize that we may be extinguishing the same Spirit in the people of God?
Jesus is still alive within his Church, but we need to feel his presence with greater faith and to listen with less fear to his words: “Stand up, do not be afraid.”
GLIMPSE
The three temptations described in last Sunday’s Gospel were something that we could remotely associate with. Today’s narrative of the Transfiguration, however, is more difficult to comprehend. To begin with, we have never seen anything like that – “his face shone like the sun, and his garments became white as the light.” Secondly, we cannot imagine how Moses and Elijah, appeared and talked to Jesus, having died fifteen hundred years and two thousand years earlier! Thirdly, we have never seen or heard God’s voice so clear from a cloud! We can imagine God “speaking” to us in prayer, in worship or in nature, but what do we make of such extraordinary way of bringing heaven to earth? What, if anything, does it have to do with your life and mine?
It serves a very definite purpose. You and I can get so bogged down in this world of things and troubles, fun and games, disease and death that we begin to think this is all of it. When that happens, we need something to remind us that this old troubled world is not the total picture of life. There is another world out there that is just as real as this one. We don’t have to become “other-worldly,” but we do need an occasional glimpse of that other world, even if we get it through the eyes of
someone else. Peter, James and John experienced three things that day that you and I need to share.
- They saw Christ in his glory. Last week, in the desert, we saw Christ’s humanity. He wasn’t pretending just to be a man, but he really was a man. He was tempted as we are tempted, yet he was without sin. He died just as we will die, and yet he rose again triumphant over death and the grave. He is both a man and the Saviour of all.
Peter, James and John knew Him as a man. They were convinced of his humanity; but for one brief moment, they saw him in his eternal glory. He walked with them up the mountain. He walked with them down the mountain. He shared their humanity. They watched him live as a man, and they saw him die as a man. But they would never forget that one glimpse of Christ in his glory, and we shouldn’t either.
He is with us in this world. When people are hungry, he is hungry. When people hurt, he hurts. But he is not victimized by all of this; he is not bogged down in it. There is another dimension where he is above all that, “radiant as the sun,” a symbol of truth, hope and purity. One thing will pass, while the other will endure.
- They saw Christ in his nearness. Most of us think of God only in terms of
the long ago and the far away. We have no trouble believing that He was
actively involved in the world and in the affairs with people, and that he walked and talked with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. We find it even reasonable that some day in the distant future, he may again be active in the lives of people. But we find it very difficult to believe that he is here and now and involved in our world.
Probably, Peter, James and John felt the same way – until they heard the voice and got a glimpse of the other world, and they realized how close to God they were. They fell to the ground, and they felt like remaining there forever.
- They saw life in its eternal dimension. The realized that Moses and Elijah
were chatting together, both of whom having lived centuries ago. Moses had died and been buried. Elijah had been carried to heaven in a chariot of fire.
There they were, very much alive! They had moved from one world to another, and gone right on living.
We all need a “glimpse of the other world” and would like to continue with some of our challenges or dreams. We would like more time to learn and grow and complete the work undone. Relationships and friendships get richer as the years go by. You should never wish to stay on the “mountain top” of a moment of glory. Those occasional moments can bring more meaning to future years on the plain.
JUST LISTEN TO JESUS
Jesus takes with him his closest disciples and he takes them to a high mountain. It is not the mountain where the Devil had offered him all the kingdoms of the earth in their splendour. This is a mountain where his intimate friends would discover the way to the glory of the resurrection.
The transfigured face of Jesus shone like the sun and revealed what true glory is. That glory does not come from the devil but from God the Father. True glory is not found by the devil’s ways, such as worldly power, by patient and obscure service, suffering and the cross.
Suddenly Moses and Elijah appeared next to Jesus. Their faces do not sparkle and they do not teach to them. They were talking to Jesus. The Law and the Prophets are turned and directed towards Him.
Peter, however, does not capture the uniqueness of the situation, and says,
“Lord, if you wish, I will make three tents here: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” Peter puts Jesus on the same plane as Moses and Elijah: one tent for each. Peter does not know that Jesus is not like everyone else.
It was God who actually came to interrupt Peter. “He was still speaking,”
amid clouds and lights, when a mysterious voice was heard: “This is my Son, the beloved,” with His face glorified by the Resurrection, “listen to Him,” and nobody
else. My Son is the only law-maker, master and prophet. Do not take him for anyone else.
The disciples fell on their faces, overcome with fear. They were afraid to hear Him speak, showing them a way of humble service to the cross. The same Jesus came up and touched them and said, “Stand up, do not be afraid.” That’s how He would touch the sick, saying, “Stand up, do not be afraid,” to listen to me, and follow me.
Today’s Christians, too, are often afraid to listen to Jesus. We do not dare to place Jesus at the centre of our lives and communities. We do not allow Him to be our only and decisive Word. Yet, He is the same Jesus who can free us from our fears, cowardice and ambiguities, if only we allow Him to get closer to us, and be touched by Him.
TRANSFIGURATION
How much grief has been caused by stopping too soon? The high school drop-out ruins his life by stopping too soon. The small businessman loses his investment by stopping too soon. The timid romantic fails to win his true love by stopping too soon. The addict in a twelve-step program falls back by stopping too soon. Pressing through challenges is the price of success.
Peter, James, and John were given a foretaste of Jesus’ glorification. Of course, Jesus had taught his disciples that he must first suffer and die at the hands of his enemies. Peter wanted to avoid all that by staying on the mountaintop. But there are no shortcuts to glory! Had Jesus stopped too soon, he would not have achieved the world’s redemption.
Have you ever been in a situation when you just did not know what to say? Maybe you were in love, and your mind turned to mush and you ran out of words. Maybe you were embarrassed. You tried to speak and stammered for words. Maybe you were just scared and didn’t know what to say.
In our gospel lesson today, Peter, James and John experienced just such a moment.
This was a moment they would talk about for the rest of their lives. But at the moment of the Transfiguration, Peter and the others did not know what to say. Imagine that, Peter, the man who never seemed to be at a loss or words, did not know what to say! What can we learn from this scripture lesson that might help transform us this season of Lent?
First, it is all right to have nothing to say. Peter and the others were afraid. That’s all. Wouldn’t you be afraid, too? Any time we experience a moment that stretches our life experience, or threatens our safety, we are afraid. It is a natural and normal reaction. And fear tends to silence the tongue. This is probably a built-in mechanism for survival, since we are more likely to escape times of threat if we can remain silent.
Besides this, recall that the context of this gospel passage is the revelation of Jesus to the disciples just six days earlier that his mission and life journey was to be crucified in Jerusalem, and later be raised from the dead. Jesus bid his disciples take up the cross with him. You remember that Peter tried to talk Jesus out of this difficult path, and received a sharp rebuke from Jesus, “Get three behind me, Satan!” This was a particularly uneasy time for Peter. So he did not know what to say when he saw the Transfiguration of Jesus. Was it a sign of the glory and fame that lay ahead after all? Or was it a sign that the end was nearer at hand than he thought? He did not know. And he sure did not wan to say the wrong thing again. Not within the same week!
We will all have some times when we fall silent – at the death of a friend, in the presence of grandeur, at times of surprise, shock or grief. This is normal. Let it be. Be silent. The Transfiguration was not a test to see if Peter and the others could come up with something brilliant to say.
During this Lenten season, we could all do well to practice some silence.
“Be still, and know that I am God.” ( Psalm 46:10 )
When you have nothing to say, just say nothing. Unfortunately, silence was never
Peter’s greatest virtue! His gift of speech was also his greatest weakness. At the transfiguration, Peter did not know what to say, and yet he said something anyway! Can’t you identify with him there? How many of us have painful memories of times or unexamined words tumbled out of our mouths, inflicting greater pain in an argument, or greater embarrassment to ourselves? For all of us who had suffered these embarrassments, Peter is our Patron Saint.
Peter could not let the holy moment of the Transfiguration go by without spoiling it with a word. “It is great to be here, Jesus. Let us make three tents on this spot…” Sounds innocent enough, doesn’t it? But Peter’s failing, besides his failure just to remain silent in the presence of God’s glory, was his desire to hold on to the moment, freeze it in time, camp out on that mountain top, create a museum of the Transfiguration.
But God had a better plan, even if a more difficult one. It was after Peter’s bungled attempt to speak, that God’s voice spoke. God did not ask Peter to speak, or even to act. His command was clear and simple. The voice of the Father simply said, “This is my beloved Son, listen to Him.” That’s it. Don’t speak. Do not try to explain or tame a mystery, just listen. For this day, on this mountain, that was all God wanted from him, listen.
This Lenten journey, let’s just learn to be better listeners, to Jesus and to each other. It is a small, silent beginning in our own personal transformation.