2ND SUNDAY OF LENT, 13 MARCH 2022: GENESIS 15. 5-12, 17-18; PHIL 3.20 – 4.1; LUKE 9. 28B – 36: TRANSFIGURATION OF THE LORD
Focus: The transfiguration of the Lord is a clear pointer to our stark reality of disfiguration both of God and of humanity. It is a call again to recapture our lost reality of transfiguration
1. The gospel today narrates the episode of the transfiguration of the Lord. It took place on mount Tabor. It was in the company of three of his disciples, Peter, James and John. It was in a context of prayer. There was a total change of appearance with immense glow and radiance. His face shone and his clothing became dazzling white. Moses and Elijah appeared in glory talking with him. The glory was so overwhelming that Peter exclaimed, “It is good that we are here. Let us make three tents”. A cloud overshadowed them. A voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him”.
2. First of all, it was on a mountain. A mountain is a place, raised from the rest of the places. It is usually an ambiance of serenity and calm, apart from all the noise and commotion of the rest of the world. In the context of the Bible, mountain used to be a place of encounter with the divine. This indicates that we need to take time from time to time to create a “mountain atmosphere”. We need to set aside some moments of calm and tranquility amidst all our worries and preoccupations. We need to encounter the divine in silence and reflection.
3. The transfiguration was in a context of prayer. We are told that Jesus and others went up on the mountain to pray. This indicates that transfiguration takes place in an ambiance of prayer. Prayer changes our appearance. Prayer adds a new glow. Prayer brightens up our dark areas. Things become clear and we shine when we pray.
4. True transfiguration is a total change, both of the interior and the exterior. It is not merely external or partial. It is whole and total. It involves the whole person and life. The face of the transfigured Jesus shone with glow and his clothes became exceedingly white. Face indicates the interior change, as face is the index of the interior. And clothes indicate the exterior change. Thereby, it is clear that Jesus’ glory is full and total.
5. Jesus’ transfiguration is an indicator of the glory of his identity and destiny. Divinity in Glory is his identity as the Son of God. It is his destiny also as he will return to the Father to reassume his heavenly glory. His humanity may obscure this divine identity and destiny for a while. But it does not cancel his original glory.
6. His speaking with Moses and Elijah indicates that Jesus is the bridge, link between the OT and the NT. Moses and Elijah represent Law and the Prophets respectively and they comprise and synthesize their whole Scripture and tradition. All scripture, law and prophets are oriented toward Jesus Christ. They find their fulfillment in Jesus. That is why Jesus would affirm, “I came not to abolish the law but perfect and fulfill it” (Matthew 5. 17); “Today this scripture is fulfilled in me” (Luke 4. 21).
7. Peter’s excitement saying, “It is good to be here. Let us make three tents here” indicates the overwhelming nature of the event of transfiguration. It is so touching, impressing and absorbing that Peter does not want to get away from that profound experience. His desire to put tents shows that he wants to continue to stay with that experience.
8. The voice from the cloud indicates that God always accompanies and affirms His Son, saying, “This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him”. This shows the inseparable bonding between the Father and Son; the Father chose His only Son to be the Messiah for salvation; we must constantly listen to His Son.
9. Now the purpose of the transfiguration is revelation – rejuvenation – confirmation –transfiguration. The original divinity and glory of Jesus is revealed. The man Jesus walking so ordinarily amidst them is not a mere man but God incarnate. The vision of his glory is meant not to display his power.
10. Rather it was to reenergize their faith and confirm it especially in their testing times in future when they will come in face with the misery of Jesus’ cross and death. In those distressing and depressing moments, they would recall the transfigured Jesus. They would be reassured that the Jesus who suffers is not a helpless victim but a glorious saviour that accomplishes God’s plan of his own free accord. Thereby, the times of suffering will not be a scandal that upsets their faith. Rather, they would be reinvigorated recalling the transfiguration.
11. Finally, the event of transfiguration is not only a glorious experience. We need such moments time and again to confirm and strengthen us in our faith and hope. It is very good to behold his glory and to stay on in those pleasant moments. However, it also contains a noble call: Live the transfiguration daily. We need to glow with radiance every day. Our face must glow with interior light. Our clothes, that is, our exterior conduct must shine with good works.
Direction: In a world where is there an increasing disfiguration of God and humanity, we need to work on the transfiguration of them. The beauty and value of God and humanity must be rediscovered and beautified
(REFLECTION 2)
Focus: Glory is our destiny and transfiguration is the way. Misery is not a resident fact but only a temporary ‘parking lot’
1. Jesus is transfigured on Mount Tabor in the presence of 3 of his disciples. His face and clothes glow so bright and radiant. This indicates that his glory is total, both interior and exterior respectively. The experience of divine glory is so relishing, as Peter exclaims: “it is nice to be here; let us make three tents”.
2. The event of Jesus' transfiguration is a manifestation of his original divinity, identity, and glory. But it is not to display his glory, not to impress upon the three disciples his greatness. It is not self-directed, seeking self-glory. Rather, it serves as a fount of hope that prepares and strengthens the disciples, when faced with the cross and death of Jesus that lie ahead.
3. The transfigured glory of Jesus illumines and assures the disciples that Jesus who meets the fate of cross, is not a helpless failure, forced to such a miserable end; rather he is the glorious Son of God, who willingly and freely accepts cross as God's will for salvation. It is not a fate of misery and damnation but a destiny of glory and salvation.
4. Thereby when faced with the ignominy of cross, let them not be shaken or shocked; let them not be dissipated or frustrated. Let them not be stuck with cross and death, but rather let their focus go beyond the glory and eternity. Behind and beyond the disfigured crucified, one should see the transfigured resurrected Lord, re-vested with the original heavenly glory.
5. Thus that simple Jesus, who is walking along with them as an ordinary man, that suffering Jesus, who will be subjected to the humiliation of the cross, is not a disgraced and defeated man. Instead, he is the glorious "beloved Son of the Father", attested so by the Father Himself from heaven. So do not lose faith in him, when things go contrary, but continue to keep trust and hope in him.
6. Jesus’ transfiguration points to our own transfiguration, being adorned with divine glory. It is an indicator, a forecast, and foretaste of our own resurrection and the glory of the resurrection. It is a prefiguration of our own future glory. The frequent disfiguration of life, with all the vicissitudes and adversities, is not the final or permanent reality. Misery is not an absolute fate.
7. Glory is our eternal destiny. Transfiguration is the ultimate and definitive experience. The transfiguring experience must trigger us to direct our focus, beyond the temporary upsets of the cross, to the eternal upheaval of resurrection.
8. This is possible only through a constant integral transformation of our both interior and exterior. In other words, it is a call for a constant REINVIGORATION of our original identity of being God's image and likeness.
9. This in turn is possible through a faithful CONFIGURATION with Jesus. The more we are tuned and communed to him, the more we live and grow like him, the more we adhere to him In "attentive listening to him", the more we shall experience and share the same transfiguring glory.
10. Sin disfigures us, depriving us of our original beauty and dignity of being God's images. But, grace through Jesus transfigures us, restoring to us that lost light and radiance. The more we are enlightened, breaking off the sheaths and layers of darkness that often block and blur our radiance, the more we re-discover our real identity and radiate the light of that true image.
11. Thus real transfiguration lies in a daily process of brightening up our lives. Light up the life, daily on the "mountain" - of the vicinity, proximity, and intimacy with God, in a spirit and ambiance of solitude and serenity, in the heights of our spirits, in the focused moments of prayer, in a personal encounter with Moses and Elijah, signifying the Law and Prophets, i.e. the entire Scripture and Tradition.
12. Transform and glorify life, wholly and fully. Change the interior, indicated by the change of face, which is the index of the interior. Change the exterior, indicated by the change in clothes. Let our every day be a continuous journey of removing the shades of darkness that reduce our glow. Let it be a vibrant march of regaining our lost radiance. Let the light of Christ make our heart, our life, brighter, with more hope and more renewal.
Direction: When frightened by the adversities of life, let us not lose heart or hope. Let us turn to the transfigured Lord and strengthen our faith. Let us be confirmed about our own transfiguration and thus deepen our hope
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