2nd Sunday of Lent (Fr. Vinner)

My Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

The common theme of today’s readings is metamorphosis or transformation.  The readings invite us to work with the Holy Spirit to transform our lives by renewing them during Lent so that they radiate the glory and grace of the transfigured Lord to all around us by our Spirit-filled lives.

While he was praying…
In the Gospel of Luke, prayer precedes every important event that takes place in Jesus’ life – his baptism, his choosing of the apostles and sending them on a mission, his passion. So also, it is when Jesus is praying that the Transfiguration takes place – “While he was praying his face changed in appearance and his clothing became dazzling white.” Also, in Luke, whenever a character is at prayer, amazing things happen – Mary, Zechariah, Elizabeth and Simeon – as we already know – were visited by angels. So prayer is an important prelude to anything happening for Luke. This is something we ourselves might want to keep in mind in this season of Lent. We need to pray so that our Easter event this year can be truly remarkable.

Overcome by sleep…
The Transfiguration of Jesus took place while the three disciples were asleep. They wake up and see Jesus in glory speaking to Moses and Elijah. It is a strange thing, this sleep that returns every time that an important event in the lives of the elect of God is about to take place! For, when God decided to create the first woman, He “caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh.” Also, it was while they slept that God spoke to many important people of the Old Covenant: Jacob, Joseph, Samuel, to name a few. It was also during sleep that Joseph, the spouse of Mary, received from the Angel the revelation of the mystery of the Incarnation. But, what relates directly to the mystery of the Transfiguration is the sleep that fell upon the very same three apostles: Peter, James, and John, at the time of the Agony of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. Indeed, after having prayed to his Father, Jesus said to Peter: “Simon, are you asleep? Could you not watch one hour?” Truly, sleep is important in the life of a Christian, because the eternal life to which he is called consists precisely in rest and residing in God…

Voice from heaven…
The power of this vision also lies in the presence of all three persons of the Blessed Trinity. As in the Baptism of our Lord, the Father speaks from heaven, this time enjoining upon the disciples obedience to his ‘Chosen Son,’ and the Holy Spirit is evoked in the cloud that envelopes everyone. There is a voice from heaven, “This is My Son, the Chosen One. Listen to Him.” God is telling them that Jesus knows what he is talking about – and salvation will come through him – even if how it happens does not always make sense to the disciples.

The disciples were overcome by the experience – and who can blame them! A vision that is both frightening and exhilarating! It would be wonderful for such an ecstasy to never end. Peter tries to interpret it – and, in a way, make it manageable and permanent – “Let us make three tents, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah” as a lasting memorial of what has happened.

How many of us spend Lent fretting about what we’ll give up? Desserts, movies, coffee, a favorite TV show? And on Fridays we trade pepperoni pizza for fish and chips. But today’s Gospel reminds us that, above all, Lent is a season of transformation. It’s a time to wake up, to open our eyes so that like the three Apostles, we can see Jesus in his glory. It’s a time to listen, so we can hear His voice calling us to be fully aware and fully alive – to live our faith every moment of our lives.

Lent is a time to take your place beside Abraham, to look up at the sky and count the stars, if you can.
Lent is a time to stand beside Moses and tell stories of liberation; for that’s what Jesus gave us – freedom – freedom from sin, freedom to do the Father’s will. We’ve been brought out of slavery, redeemed at a great price, by the blood of the Father’s only Son.
Lent is a time to come out of hiding and walk with Elijah, to spread the Good News fearlessly to all who will hear.
Lent is a time to listen, to hear the urgency of Christ’s message to each one of us – a message of love He never tires of repeating.
Lent is a time for prayer, for it’s in our prayer life that we are most open to the God’s Word.
Yes, brothers and sisters, Lent is a time to listen… a time to be transformed. Don’t let it go to waste.

Just have a beer
A man took his young son to a baseball game. While they were sitting there, he asked the boy what he was going to give up for Lent. The boy replied, “I don’t know, Dad. What are you going to give up?”

His father said, “I’ve thought about this a lot and decided to give up liquor.”
Later in the game, the beer man came by, and the man ordered a beer. His son objected, “Hey, I thought you were giving up liquor!”
His dad answered, “Hard liquor, son. I’m giving up hard liquor. This is just a beer.”
To which the boy replied, “Well then, I’m giving up hard candy.”

(1) The “transfiguration” in the Holy Mass is the source of our strength: In each Holy Mass, the bread and wine we offer on the altar become “transfigured” or transformed (transubstanted) into the living Body and Blood of the crucified, risen, and glorified Jesus.  Just as Jesus’ Transfiguration was meant to strengthen the apostles in their time of trial, each holy Mass should be our source of Heavenly strength against temptations, and for our Lenten renewal.  

(2) Each time we receive one of the Sacraments, we are transformed: For example, Baptism transforms us into sons and daughters of God and heirs of heaven. Confirmation makes us temples of the Holy Spirit and warriors of God.  By the Sacrament of Reconciliation, God brings back the sinner to the path of holiness.

(3)  The Transfiguration of Jesus offers us a message of encouragement and hope: In moments of doubt and during our dark moments of despair and hopelessness, the thought of our own transfiguration in Heaven will help us to reach out to God and to listen to His consoling words: “This is my beloved Son in Whom I am well pleased — listen to Him!” and so share the glory of His transfiguration. 4) We need “mountain-top experiences” in our lives: We share the mountain-top experience of Peter, James and John when we spend extra time in prayer during Lent.  Fasting for one day can help the body to store up spiritual energy. This spiritual energy can help us have thoughts that are far higher and nobler than our usual mundane thinking.

May God Bless us.

FR. S.Vinner HGN