Homily – Second Sunday of Lent (A)

Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain where they could be alone. There in their presence he was transfigured: his face shone like the sun and his clothes became as white as the light. Matthew 17.

What is it about mountains that make them awe-inspiring? Is it the vantage point that gives the breathtaking panoramic view over the city and far beyond? Or the beautiful natural scenery of the sea meeting the land?  One of the most impressive mountains that I ever had the privilege of standing on is Mount Wellington in Tasmania. The experience left me pondering the sacredness that comes with immersing in the beauty of nature. The story of creation in the book of Genesis tells us about the creative work of God. God’s work is for us to enjoy, marvel, and admire and for us to know our Creator in and through such work.

We go from last Sunday’s setting of the desert to this Sunday’s setting on a mountain where Christ is transfigured. On numerous occasions the mountain is the setting for God’s self-revelation and the vision for humankind through such teachings: the 10 Commandments given to Moses on Mt Sinai, God came to Elijah in the “gentle whisper” in a mountain cave, and Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. Being placed on top of something like a mountain signifies authority, a bird’s eye view of things far and wide, and something given from above to be taken and shared with those below.

Out of all of God’s creation, humankind is the crown of all creation. Created in the image and likeness of God, we have yet to fully realise this in our way of life. We are to be transformed through the Commandment of loving God and others because God is love, we are to be transformed by giving justice to all even for those who are least deserving. In the context of Lent, we are to be transformed with the disciplines of fasting, prayer, and alms giving. Humankind as the crown of creation, we are to exercise authority over other created things in a responsible and just way, we perceive and hear through our heart, and as Ash Wednesday reminds us also, our nature is one of humility as we are made from the earth.

Fr Hoang Dinh