Luke 9: 28 - 36
The Word: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/031322.cfm
As we journey through Lent, our scriptures this weekend take us from the desert last week to the top of a mountain this Sunday. The Gospel image of Jesus transfigured indeed shines with impressive wonder but it is far more meaningful than mere illusion. Our first reading from Genesis offers a feast for the imagination as we see Abram in the desert. I see a vast night sky dotted with numerous distant stars and galaxies. Some of the stars might streak across the darkness of distant space as we hear the voice of God speak to Abram: “Look up at the sky and count the stars.”
The most fantastic promise, however, that God
makes with Abram is not so much the remarkable scene of natural wonder but
God’s promise that his descendants will be like those countless stars Abram can
see. Now, if Abram was in his 20’s we could say that God offered something
hopeful and impressive. But the fact
that Abram was far beyond child producing years, as was his wife Sarah thought
to be sterile, we might say that God was simply creating some sort of special
effect for Abram to make fantasy appear to be reality. Was this just an
illusion of God or some spiritual symbolism?
God’s promise, though, is indeed real. He calls
Abram to faith – to trust that what seems impossible will indeed be made possible
and true. God called Abram to put his
faith in his word and to see things as God sees them; to adopt a new hope and
vision and indeed Isaac was born.
As we move to the Gospel, Luke brings us a
scene and a similar challenge that he offered to Abram. To see as true what one could not
imagine. The transfiguration of Jesus in
the presence of his chosen three disciples, Peter, James, and John, presents a
vision of cinematic potential. Just imagine two angelic-like figures of Moses
and Elijah, this glittering blinding light from Jesus’ face and his clothing,
the cloud that overshadows and a voice that speaks? It’s a special effect technicians dream!
Yet, it is no dream; it was a mysterious
revelation to fully conscious disciples who, now awake, “had been overcome by
sleep.” But, did they imagine they were dreaming when they beheld this strange
and awesome glory? Luke reminds us these
men became “fully awake” when startled from sleep. Peter blurts out eagerly: “Master, it is good
that we are here.” And we, so many
centuries beyond in our post-resurrection faith, might think, “Yes, it is
Peter. It is good that we too are here
before the glory of Jesus. But, what you
see is something of the future. Though
Jesus’ divine nature is now revealed, soon you will experience tragedy and
disillusionment. The cross isn’t far
away. Yet, hold on to this because such glory will come in the resurrection.
This is neither a dream nor fantasy. No
special effects here. Begin to see
things differently.
The ever impulsive Peter is struck silent as
the other disciples are presented as speechless. Luke tells us they “became frightened” which
is not a surprise. Like the experience of Abram in the desert, Peter and the
other disciples are presented with the future not as a possibility but as a
promised reality. They are challenged to
begin thinking and seeing in a new and different way about who Jesus truly is
and will be for all. That is what Lent
reminds us to do as well.
While our experiences of the faith are rarely
if ever so starling and unexpected as that mystical moment on the mountain, for
Abram and the disciples it was a life altering experience. The Church presents this Gospel to us at this
time in this pilgrimage so that we too might have our faith strengthened with a
deeper understanding of Jesus central role for our lives. The cross was not far
away and through suffering they will find glory. Isn’t it the same for us? One day we’re on
the mountain in glory and the next we may find ourselves on the plain. Yet a
new vision of hope is given us by Christ.
For Abram, Paul and his early Christian
communities, for the disciples on the mountain top and for all of us this Lent,
it is a season of new vision. What we profess,
the values and morals we strive to live, and how we view everything from human
differences and suffering; what we hold most valuable and the meaning of death
itself is not always what we see in the world around us.
At this time of tension and the displacement
and suffering of the innocent Ukrainian people it may be especially challenging
to comprehend some good from such evil. Yet,
it is there in the tenacity and compassion of many towards the suffering. Our faith must be a source of hope for us as
it was for the Apostles who would shortly face the tragic injustice and passion
of Jesus to which they no doubt were confused and disillusioned.
As we celebrate the holy Eucharist, like
Peter we all should proclaim: “It is good that we are here” because it is
unlike any other gathering.
We come to the mountaintop of the Eucharist
to meet the risen Christ in Word and Sacrament and in the faith we share with
one another. In the Mass we listen to
the voice of the Father in his Son. While it may indeed not always feel like
higher altitude, the liturgy has no special effects or illusions created. Here we are called to faith and to bring the
world around us a new vision and hope in Christ Jesus as we descend back to the
plain of our daily lives.
---------------------------------
O God, who have commanded us
to listen to your beloved Son,
be pleased, we pray,
to nourish us inwardly by your word,
that, with spiritual sight made pure,
we may rejoice to behold your glory.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever.
(Opening prayer for Mass)
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