REFLECTION Sunday´s Gospel

2nd Sunday of Lent

Fr James McTavish, FMVD

The Transfiguration

In the first reading, God invites Abram to set out on a journey. A journey is often associated with excitement but also some intrepidation – a journey into the unknown. In Lent Jesus journeyed for 40 days in the desert, the people of Israel journeyed for 40 years to pass over from slavery to freedom. Lent is a journey for us. The LORD said to Abram: “Go forth from the land of your kinsfolk and from your father’s house to a land that I will show you” (Gen 12, 1-4a). Sometimes on a journey we are not exactly sure where we are going! Once in Philippines I was on a jeepney (local small bus) and I was too shy to ask in tagalog where we were and I ended up lost. Abram is asked to leave behind the securities of his land, his comfort, his familiarity with the way things had always been done and to journey with only the security of what God was telling him. This requires faith and trust in what God is saying!

In 2002 in a mass with the Philippine community gathered in Rome Pope John Paul II commented “Because we live in a sinful world, Lent itself must become a kind of separation. We are called to leave behind our old ways of sin, which make our lives sterile and condemn us to spiritual death. Yet these sinful ways are often so deeply rooted in our lives that it is painful to leave them behind and set out for the land of blessing which God promises. This repentance is difficult; but it is the price that must be paid if we are to receive the blessing which the Father promises to those who listen to the voice of Jesus.” Lent can really be a challenge! As St Paul exhorts us “Bear your share of hardship for the gospel with the strength that comes from God” (See 2 Tim. 1, 8-10). The gospel provides various hardships – it is hard to love those we find difficult but it is even harder to live with rancour and hatred in our hearts.

But where is this journey lead us? Let us turn to the Gospel today for some enlightenment (see Matt 17, 1-9). It is the moment of transfiguration, when the three musketeers, James, John and Peter witness Christ in all his glory conversing with Elijah and Moses. Peter nearly spoils the moment as he wants to do all the talking! In that moment a bright cloud casts a shadow over them. What is the significance of the cloud? The cloud is a representation of the Holy Spirit and at times we do not know where he comes from or where he is going. Then the voice of the Father is heard “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” Commenting on this moment, Pope Benedict XVI in his Lenten message said that “it is the invitation to take a distance from the noisiness of everyday life in order to immerse oneself in God's presence. He desires to hand down to us, each day, a Word that penetrates the depths of our spirit, where we discern good from evil (cf. Hebrews 4:12], reinforcing our will to follow the Lord."

This moment is so awesome that the disciples collapse! They are like dead men. If only they had iPods and could listen to the lyrics of Waka waka “When you fall get up, Oh oh...And if you fall get up, Oh oh...”! But often that is not enough to rouse us from death, from failure, from those moments when you fall flat on your face. How beautiful the action of Jesus in that moment. He approaches them and touches them. Often Jesus will approach in us in that person who comes to help us, to give us advice, to encourage us to keep going. How great if we can be that encouraging presence of Jesus to others. Many words can put people down, how great to be a person whose words build up, resurrect and bring others back to life. Do my words slay or resurrect? Jesus then speaks “Get up, don’t be afraid.” We need to listen to those words of reassurance from the Lord in our struggles and challenges.

I am reminded of some words found on the wall of Mother Theresa’s home for children in Calcutta, India: “People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered. Forgive them anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Be kind anyway. If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies. Succeed anyway. If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you. Be honest and sincere anyway. What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight. Create anyway. If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous. Be happy anyway. The good you do today, will often be forgotten. Do good anyway. Give the best you have, and it will never be enough. Give your best anyway. In the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.”

May we never get tired of doing good on our journey. Lord help us to be sensitive to the moments of transfiguration – open the eyes of our heart (Cf. Eph 1, 18) to see them. Thank you because you never leave us face down in the dirt but approach us, dust us down and encourage us “Rise, do not be afraid” so we can continue our Lenten journey with you. Amen.