Today is the second Sunday of Lent (year B), and the gospel passage we listen to is that of the Transfiguration. Jesus took with him Peter and James and John and there up on the mountain he was transfigured. The word transfigured means ‘to be transformed into something more beautiful or elevated’. That which is transfigured is given an exalted or spiritual appearance. Jesus is transfigured before their eyes. He shines forth in beauty and light. And that experience is overwhelming for the disciples. We too, can have experiences that are akin to that of the disciples. Isn’t it true that we can be blinded by the beauty and brilliance of a sight, a person or experience? Don’t we talk of having our breath taken away from us when we have experienced an incredible sunrise or seen a deeply moving film or listened to a profound piece of music. We can be stopped in our tracks by these things. They touch something in us and we sit in awe and wonder. These are spiritual experiences too. And isn’t it true that those experiences can change us. They not only affect us at the time, they can have long term impact on our lives and attitudes. Some of these moving moments become formative in who we are and what we believe and what we hold important.
I was once privileged to be present at the birth of the child of some very close friends. It is an experience to this day that I value and treasure. The rest of the world is put aside when a baby is being born. The worries and anxieties of life disappear. The heaviness of life is lifted away and joy abounds. The birth of a baby is the miracle of life unravelling before your eyes. To witness the arrival of a new life into the world is an incredible experience and one which parents never forget. It is a transfiguration moment.
During this second week of Lent we are given the text of the transfiguration from Mark’s Gospel. The Church encourages us to delve more deeply into the discovery of the transfigured, exalted, beauty of Jesus in order that the transfigured person of Christ might enlighten us. We are called to discover the beautiful gentleness of the Lord who reaches out his hand to touch the sick. We are called to discover the compassionate forgiveness offered to all whom he encounters. We are called to discover the healing touch of the one who brings wholeness and health. We are called to discover the beauty of the one who shows us the face of God and in that, the true face of humanity. We are called to discover the joy of giving, of forgiving, of loving and of reaching out. The invitation to discover is summed up in the words of the gospel, “This is my Son, the beloved, listen to him!”
And these discoveries in turn help us to uncover more about ourselves so that the one who transfigured Jesus might join us to him and transfigure us as well.
Fr Brendan Reed
19 Brenbeal Street, Balwyn VIC 3103
Telephone: 03 9816 9291
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Chris Sartori says:
Very moving Brendan. Thank you.