Second Sunday of Lent (B)

The Transfiguration (Mk 9:2-10)

Jesus took Peter, James, and John and led them up a high mountain apart by themselves.

In the Old Testament, Moses beheld Yahweh on Mount Sinai. Now Peter, James and John beheld the transfigured Jesus on Mount Tabor.

Then Elijah appeared to them along with Moses, and they were conversing with Jesus.

In the old testament times God spoke to his people through chosen persons such as Moses and Elijah. Now the Father speaks through his Son. Therefore, we are to listen to Jesus.

Moses and Elijah represented the Law and the Prophets. They were also there to testify to Jesus as the Messiah.

“Rabbi, it is good that we are here! Let us make three tents."

Peter wanted to prolong the experience of blessedness on the mountain. But that was not to be because they had to return to the world and enter upon the path of suffering. That was why the cloud disappeared and Jesus returned to his normal appearance.

Then a cloud came, casting a shadow over them.

When Israel was wandering in the desert, they had a Tent of Meeting. When a cloud covered that tent, it was a sign that God was there. The cloud was present at the Transfiguration as a sign of the presence of the Father.

He charged them not to relate what they had seen to anyone, except when the Son of Man had risen from the dead.

Before Jesus could enter into his glory, he had to suffer and die on the cross.

Significance of the Transfiguration

“Who do people say that I am?” The answer of the disciples was: “John the Baptist, Elijah or one of the prophets.” “But you who do you say that I am?” Peter answered: “You are the Messiah.”

The transfiguration was a confirmation of their faith in Jesus was the Messiah. It was the occasion when the Father himself made known that Jesus was his beloved Son. And finally, it was a preview of the glory of Jesus as Lord after the resurrection and the glory of the just at the resurrection of the dead.

Our Personal Transfiguration

The transfiguration was chosen to be the gospel of the 2nd Sunday of Lent to tell us that if we want to be transfigured like Jesus we must also take the path of the cross, that is, we must put to death our sinful selves.

This is a story of the transfiguration of a person whose slavery to drugs led him to the gates of hell.

He started with amphetamines, then valium. He abandoned his wife.

Then he went for cocaine and sedatives. His mother called for him when her second husband died suddenly. He didn't care.

He introduced his 15-yr old son and his friend to cocaine. This led to his arrest but managed to delay the trial for two years.

He was soon $450,000 in debt. He was spending $2000 a week for cocaine.

One night he could no longer stand it. He reached for the drawer of his dresser and took out his gun. He got hold of the Jewish prayer cord his father had given him a long time ago. His father had told him: "If there is ever anything important you need, take this cord and pray." He fell on his knees weeping, "God, help me. I don't want to die."

To continue living he had to put to death his addicted self. He signed up for treatment. He also attended Alcoholics Anonymous.

From his old self began to emerge a new self. He began working hard again. He started paying his creditors. He also became active in Narcotics Anonymous to help others like him. Later he founded Cocaine Anonymous.

He recieved a call from his mother again. This time it was cancer. He knew what he had to do. He closed his business which was picking up and went to Fort Lauderdale to care for his mother.

Now he was truly transfigured.

The Path to Personal Transfiguration

La Pieta was one of Michaelangelo's greatest sculptures. But in the beginning it was just a big block of rough marble which had been rejected by other sculptors. One day Michaelangelo began to apply his chisel to it. Bits and pieces of marble fell to the floor until one day the block of rough marble was no more. It had become the La Pieta.

We are meant to be God's masterpieces. But for that to happen, the chisel of sacrifice and self-discipline must be used. In this way our sinful self might be chipped away little by little until we are transfigured and a new self is born.