Jesus Transfigured in Glory
Introduction: May you continue to take advantage
of the time of Lent to reflect on all that GOD has done for you, especially in
and through the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus.
Lent could be
considered a 40-day retreat. It may be a working retreat, in that we still have
to be involved in our regular work and routine, but hopefully we are also
taking time away from some of our mundane activities and are practicing some
spiritual exercises such as scripture and religious book reading, prayer, and
reflection. It takes an effort on our part to put aside activities that, while
not bad, do not deepen our relationship with the Lord Jesus through spiritual
disciplines or prayer, spiritual reading, and reflection.
You are in my
prayers as you journey through this Lent. Let us pray that we make the time to
get away with the Lord Jesus and His Abba-Father, in the unity of the Holy
Spirit. May you find it transforming and enriching.
As we continue our
journey this Lenten season, we are challenged to focus on the Lord Jesus. As we
do so, we may experience a closeness in our relationship that transcends our normal
earthly activity and empowers us to continue our pilgrimage to our ultimate
destiny with more strength and enthusiasm. In our First Reading, Abraham has such
an experience. Although he is a childless, wandering nomad, he undergoes a spiritual
event that draws him into a closer relationship with GOD Who promises him and his
too-many-to-be-numbered descendants a future homeland. The psalmist has
a similar feeling of ultimate trust in the LORD. In today’s Second Reading, St.
Paul exhorts those who hear his letter being proclaimed (both in Philippi and today)
to focus not on earthly things but on “our citizenship” in heaven. In the Gospel,
Jesus allows His three closest disciples to see His glory as He is transfigured
before their eyes. Although they do not understand the full meaning at this time,
their continued relationship with Jesus leads them to the place and time when they
will better understand and experience Jesus’ ultimate moment of glory on the cross
and at the tomb.
First Reading: Genesis
15:5-12,17-18: God enters into a Covenant with Abraham, the man of faith
Commentary: There
are different stories of how God’s pact with Abraham (or Abram) was
made. There is no doubt that it was a promise of lasting protection for Abraham
and his descendants. This version takes the form of an ancient sacral covenant,
of a kind known from other ancient Near Eastern sources. The offerings are cut
in half, and the parties making the pact pass between the halves, as a symbol
that they will observe the pact faithfully until the two halves come together
again. Such covenants were frequent between equals or between overlord and
vassal, but no such covenant is known between a deity and a human being. It
perhaps marks the inequality that only the awesome symbols of God here pass
between the halves of the offering: Abraham cannot impose conditions on God!
Nor can Abraham do anything to earn or justify this promise: he can only trust
in God, for he himself remains a nomad without a settled territory to call his
own. Only his descendants will inherit the land and become as the stars of
heaven. The awesome mystery of the scene is increased by the deep sleep (the
same sleep that fell on Adam for the creation of Eve) and by Abram’s terror.
The Responsorial Psalm 27:
1,7-9, 13-14: The Lord is my light and my help.
The
Responsorial Psalm is the prayer of one who sees GOD as the Light and source of
salvation. With one’s eyes focused on GOD, there is nothing to fear and no one
of whom to be afraid. The trust that the psalmist has is what leads him to
believe that he will see the bounty of the LORD in the land of the living.
Second Reading: Philippians
3:17-4:1: Our homeland is in heaven, and from heaven comes Christ to
transfigure us
Commentary: In this
world we are aliens rather than citizens, in that our final values are not
those of this world, nor is our final aim. We cannot rest in contentment except
in the expectation of the Risen Lord coming in triumph to assume lordship of
all things. This, rather than food or any material goods, must be the basis of
our whole system of values. To modern conventions, Paul’s occasional
encouragement to follow his rule of life or to imitate him seems boastful and
complacent. He sees himself as the servant of Christ, suffering for Christ,
just as Jesus suffered as the Servant of the Lord. Paul’s sufferings are the
badge of apostleship. In other passages, however, he shows that he is as aware
as any of us of his own failings and of his inability to live up to his ideals.
Gospel; Luke 9:28-36: Jesus is
transfigured before them
Commentary: Luke
stresses that Jesus went up the mountain to pray. He frequently stresses Jesus’
constant need for prayer, and many of Luke’s parables are about prayer (the
Importunate Widow and the Unjust Judge, the Pharisee and the Tax-Collector).
Luke also details that Jesus, Moses, and Elijah were conversing about his
journey up to Jerusalem, a journey which is the theme of the latter half of
Luke’s gospel.
Reflection: What
can blind us or keep us from recognizing God's glory in our lives? Sin and
unbelief for sure! Faith enables us to see what is hidden or unseen to the
naked eye. Through the eyes of faith, Abraham recognized God and God's call on
his life. He saw from afar not only what God intended for him but for his
descendants as well - an everlasting covenant of friendship and peace with the
living God (Genesis 15:18). Abraham is the father of faith because he put his
hope in the promises of God. Faith makes us taste in advance the light of God's
glory when we shall see him face to face (1 Corinthians 13:12; 1 John 3:2).
The Lord Jesus reveals his glory in fulfilling his Father's
will: Are you prepared to see God's glory? God is eager to share his
glory with us! We get a glimpse of this when the disciples see Jesus
transfigured on the mountain. Jesus' face changed in appearance, and his
clothing became dazzling white (Mark 9:2,3).
When Moses met
with God on Mount Sinai the skin of his face shone because he had been talking
with God (see Exodus 34:29). Paul says that the Israelites could not look at
Moses' face because of its brightness (2 Corinthians 3:7). In the Gospel
account Jesus appeared in glory with Moses, the great lawgiver of Israel, and
with Elijah, the greatest of the prophets, in the presence of three of his
beloved apostles - Peter, James, and John.
What is the
significance of this mysterious appearance? Jesus went to the mountain knowing
full well what awaited him in Jerusalem - his betrayal, rejection, and
crucifixion. Jesus very likely discussed this momentous decision to go to the
cross with Moses and Elijah. God the Father also spoke with Jesus and gave his
approval: This is my beloved Son; listen to him. The Father glorified his son
because he obeyed. The cloud that overshadowed Jesus and his apostles
fulfilled the dream of the Jews that when the Messiah came, the cloud of God's
presence would fill the temple again (see Exodus 16:10, 19:9, 33:9; 1 Kings
8:10; 2 Maccabees 2:8).
The Lord wants to share his glory with each of us: The
Lord Jesus not only wants us to see his glory - he wants to share this glory
with us. And Jesus shows us the way to the Father's glory: follow me - obey my
words - take the path I have chosen for you and you will receive the blessings
of my Father's kingdom - your name will be written in heaven.
Jesus succeeded
in his mission because he went to Calvary so that Paradise would be restored to
us once again. He embraced the cross to obtain the crown of glory that awaits
each one of us if we will follow in his footsteps.
Origen (185-254
AD), an early church bible scholar and writer, shows us how the transfiguration
can change our lives:
"When he
is transfigured, his face also shines as the sun that he may be manifested to
the children of light who have put off the works of darkness and put on the
armor of light, and are no longer the children of darkness or night but have
become the sons of day, and walk honestly as in the day. Being manifest, he
will shine unto them not simply as the sun, but as demonstrated to be the sun
of righteousness."
Stay awake spiritually - Don't miss God's glory and action: Luke's
Gospel account tells us that while Jesus was transfigured, Peter, James, and
John were asleep (Luke 9:32)! Upon awakening, they discovered Jesus in glory, along with Moses and Elijah. How much do we miss of God's glory and action
because we are spiritually asleep? There are many things that can keep our
minds asleep to the things of God: Mental lethargy and the "unexamined
life" can keep us from thinking things through and facing our doubts and
questions. The life of ease can also hinder us from considering the challenging
or disturbing demands of Christ. Prejudice can make us blind to something new
the Lord may have for us. Even sorrow can be a block until we can see past it
to the glory of God.
Are you
spiritually awake? Peter, James, and John were privileged witnesses of the
glory of Christ. We, too, as disciples of Christ are called to be witnesses of
his glory. We all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are
being changed into his likeness from one degree of glory to another; for this
comes from the Lord who is the Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:18). The Lord wants to
reveal his glory to us, his beloved disciples. Do you seek his presence with
faith and reverence?
Lord Jesus,
keep me always alert to you, to your presence in my life, and to your
life-giving word that nourishes me daily. Let me see your glory.
Daily Quote from the Early Church Fathers: The transfiguration of Jesus, by Origen (185-254 AD)
"Do you
wish to see the transfiguration of Jesus? Behold with me the Jesus of the
Gospels. Let him be simply apprehended. There, he is beheld both 'according to
the flesh' and at the same time in his true divinity. He is beheld in the form
of God according to our capacity for knowledge. This is how he was beheld by
those who went up upon the lofty mountain to be apart with him. Meanwhile, those
who do not go up the mountain can still behold his works and hear his uplifting words. It is before those who go up that Jesus is transfigured,
and not to those below. When he is transfigured, his face shines as the sun,
that he may be manifested to the children of light, who have put off the works
of darkness and put on the armor of light (Romans 13:12). They are no longer
the children of darkness or night but have become the children of day. They
walk honestly as in the day. Being manifested, he will shine to them not simply
as the sun but as he is demonstrated to be, the sun of righteousness."
(excerpt from COMMENTARY ON MATTHEW 12.37)
Venerator or enemy of the cross? “Unfortunately,
many go about in a way which shows them to be enemies of the cross of Christ.”
—Philippians 3:18
“Jesus said to
all: ‘Whoever wishes to be My follower must deny his very self, take up his
cross each day, and follow in My steps’ ” (Lk 9:23). However, the apostles
didn’t get the message. So Jesus took three of them up a mountain (Lk 9:28).
“While He was praying, His face changed in appearance and His clothes became
dazzlingly white. Suddenly two men were talking with Him — Moses and Elijah.
They appeared in glory” (Lk 9:29-31). “A cloud came and overshadowed them, and
the disciples grew fearful as the others entered it. Then from the cloud came a
voice which said, ‘This is My Son, My Chosen One. Listen to Him’ ” (Lk
9:34-35). Surely, after witnessing such an overwhelming experience, the apostles
would listen to Jesus the next time He spoke to them about the cross! Yet they
didn’t listen the next time nor the time after that. Eventually, they even ran
from the cross and abandoned Jesus as He hung in agony.
St. Paul also
tried to get the Philippians to accept the cross. But it must have been a
stumbling block and an absurdity to some of them (1 Cor 1:23). They were “set
upon the things of this world” (Phil 3:19) and shown “to be enemies of the
cross of Christ” (Phil 3:18).
During this
Lent, the Church is also trying to get us to accept the cross, to take it up
daily, and to follow Christ crucified. The Church is calling us to fast for
forty days, forgive, repent, go to Confession, pray, and give alms. After
listening to the Lord in all these ways, we hopefully will listen to Him about
the cross. Then, on Good Friday, we will be venerators of the cross and not
enemies.
Prayer: Father, “may I never boast of anything
but the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ!” (Gal 6:14). “‘Look up at the sky and
count the stars, if you can. Just so,’ He added, ‘shall your descendants be.’ ”
—Gn 15:5. Glory to You, Son of God, 'Chosen One” (Lk 9:35).
The personal action for today: How much time do I spend in prayer and meditation,
seeking a deeper relationship with GOD? When have I experienced the presence of
the Lord Jesus in such a way that I was drawn even closer to GOD? How did that
experience and the later reflection on that experience empower me to follow the
Lord Jesus more closely and to reach out to others?
*Saint Clement Mary Hofbauer: Clement Mary might be called the second founder of
the Redemptorists, as it was he who carried the congregation of Saint Alphonsus
Liguori to the people north of the Alps.
John, the name
given him at Baptism, was born in Moravia into a poor family, the ninth of 12
children. Although he longed to be a priest, there was no money for studies,
and he was apprenticed to a baker. But God guided the young man’s fortunes. He
found work in the bakery of a monastery where he was allowed to attend classes
in its Latin school. After the abbot there died, John tried the life of a
hermit, but when Emperor Joseph II abolished hermitages, John again returned to
Vienna and to baking.
One day, after
serving Mass at the Cathedral of St. Stephen, he called a carriage for two
ladies waiting there in the rain. In their conversation, they learned that he
could not pursue his priestly studies because of a lack of funds. They
generously offered to support both John and his friend Thaddeus in their
seminary studies. The two went to Rome, where they were drawn to Saint
Alphonsus’ vision of religious life and to the Redemptorists. The two young men
were ordained together in 1785.
Newly professed
at age 34, Clement Mary, as he was now called, and Thaddeus were sent back to
Vienna. But the religious difficulties there caused them to leave and continue
north to Warsaw, Poland. There, they encountered numerous German-speaking
Catholics who had been left priestless by the suppression of the Jesuits. At
first, they had to live in great poverty and preach outdoor sermons. Eventually, they were given the church of St. Benno, and for the next nine years, they
preached five sermons a day, two in German and three in Polish, converting many
to the faith. They were active in social work among the poor, founding an
orphanage and then a school for boys.
Drawing
candidates to the congregation, they were able to send missionaries to Poland,
Germany, and Switzerland. All of these foundations eventually had to be
abandoned because of the political and religious tensions of the times. After
20 years of difficult work, Clement Mary himself was imprisoned and expelled
from the country. Only after another arrest was he able to reach Vienna, where
he was to live and work the final 12 years of his life. He quickly became “the
apostle of Vienna,” hearing the confessions of the rich and the poor, visiting
the sick, acting as a counselor to the powerful, and sharing his holiness with all
in the city. His crowning work was the establishment of a Catholic college in
his beloved city.
Persecution
followed Clement Mary, and there were those in authority who were able for a
while to stop him from preaching. An attempt was made at the highest levels to
have him banished. But his holiness and fame protected him and prompted the
growth of the Redemptorists. Due to his efforts, the congregation was firmly
established north of the Alps by the time of his death in 1820. Clement Mary
Hofbauer was canonized in 1909. His liturgical feast is celebrated on March 15.
Clement Mary
saw his life’s work meet with disaster. Religious and political tensions forced
him and his brothers to abandon their ministries in Germany, Poland, and
Switzerland. Clement Mary himself was exiled from Poland and had to start all
over again. Someone once pointed out that the followers of the crucified Jesus
should see only new possibilities opening up whenever they meet failure.
Clement Mary encourages us to follow his example, trusting in the Lord to guide
us.
