The Second Sunday of Lent asks us to contemplate Jesus’ Transfiguration, and the cloud that sometimes overshadows us in our life of faith.
The first reading, from the Book of Genesis, speaks to us of God’s mission for Abram. Abram is commanded to go out from his own country, is asked to leave his own nation, and find a land that God himself will indicate. The experience of emigration, the experience of having to let go of one’s own homeland, to go to another land, another country, was Abram’s experience. At the end, we are told that Abram did as the Lord commanded him to do.
The second reading, from the Second Letter of St. Paul to Timothy, begins with the words, “Join with me in suffering for the Gospel”. Immediately, however, St. Paul adds “relying on the power of God”. In this way, in times of suffering, we are to remember that we not expected to carry that suffering by ourselves. It is always with the power of God, it is with God’s grace and assistance that we ask for in prayer, it is many times with people who God puts in our way, that we face suffering and pain in our lives as Christians.
The Gospel on this Second Sunday of Lent is always the Gospel of the Transfiguration. It is interesting that the Transfiguration takes place after the first announcement of the Passion. Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up the high mountain, and transfigures Himself before them, after saying to them that He will suffer and die. This Gospel makes it clear that Cross and Glory, suffering and resurrection, belong together. Moreover, the Law and the Prophets – symbolized by the persons of Moses and Elijah – point to Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of all of God’s promises to His people. There are no more promises to be fulfilled; Jesus is the fullness of God’s revelation. In the Gospel, we have been given all the instructions, indications, and information necessary to have eternal life. This includes the wisdom that states that suffering and glory go together.
The cloud of suffering comes to us suddenly; the sight of Jesus, which was so clear and palpable, becomes obscured. Still, in a mysterious way, even in the cloud of suffering, God’s presence is with us; God envelops us with His presence, like He enveloped Peter, James, and John. They were so afraid that they fell, with their faces to the ground. We too need Jesus to come to us, and touch us, asking us to get up.
My brothers and sisters, we lift our fears to God and to His majesty. Before Christ, we place our concerns about viruses and such, as we ask Our Lady to place Her protective mantle over us, our families, our parish, and our town. There is concern out there: on Saturday afternoon, I received a visit from a gentleman who is going from rectory to rectory, giving away bottles of hand-sanitizer to priests in the area. At this point, we pray, and ask for God’s protection. We can also take simple steps, like suspending the sign of peace until further notice, and reminding ourselves, that if we feel ill, we should stay at home. I’ll also do the meet-and-greet after Mass without shaking hands.
Jesus’ Transfiguration and the cloud are reminders that the Cross and the Resurrection, suffering and glory, go together in our lives as Christians.
(Fr. Pawel Ratajczak, OMI, March 8, 2020)