May the Lord bless you with peace and health in the Holy Spirit.
It is 13th March 2022. We reflect on Genesis 15:5-12, 17-18; Philippians 3:17 – 4:1 and Luke 9:28-36.
Dear people of God, we are on the second Sunday of Lent. We move from reflecting on the temptation to transfiguration.
Hazel and Harry were married for fifteen years, and their relationship was so limited to newspapers and weather reports at the dinner table. Hazel loved her housework so much and was always busy right after her hectic job. Harry worked long hours and came home tired. And so, they ended up spending their drowsy boredom in front of the television. There was not even one occasion Hazel heard Harry call her lovingly. She felt like an old plant that was withering silently. One day her friend visited and chided her to something drastic with her outlook. She wanted her friend to have some spark and fire and so decided to have her hair done and visited stores buying something that could pull her husband Harry. After their long day, they came and waited for the arrival of Harry. He came in and looked at his wife and what she has done, he moved over to her, took her by his arms, called her name after a long time over and over again. When it happened, Hazel was radiant and aglow. She was transfigured not because of the new outfit but because after a long time in years she heard her name called in love.
A simple make-up, touch-up or overhaul could bring about an amazing look on persons and things. We all could look elegant and pleasant just by simple grooming with haircut or hairdo. This is just a transformation and is external. But transfiguration is more than mere transformation.
When people failed to recognise who Jesus was, Jesus went to the mountain to pray with His privileged apostles Peter, James, and John.
In this mountain experience in prayer, it is made clear that Jesus is not Elijah, neither is he Moses. Mountain experience is more theological than geographical.
A complete metamorphosis happened during this most remarkable event that brought out the identity of Jesus, sharpened His vision and focused Him on the Calvary, journey to Jerusalem. Jesus became radiant and aglow as He was recognised by God as, “the Son, the Chosen One, listen to Him” Father who got His name right and directed Him to continue the journey to Jerusalem. The Father recognised Jesus in love and that transfigures Jesus. The transfiguration enabled Jesus to make the most difficult journey in His life – to take the road that leads to Calvary/
Uncertainties, confusion are part of life. they are opportunities to surrender and accept God’s plan for our life.
Abraham had been asked to leave his homeland and to go and live in a strange place. If he did so, he was promised a great future for his family and descendants. Without any further guarantees, Abram sets out. His readiness to put his trust in God’s word became legendary “Abram put his faith in the Lord, who counted this as making him justified,”
In the second reading, St. Paul invites us to focus our look on Heaven. “For us, our homeland is in heaven” But our citizenship is in heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ. He will transform the body of our humiliation that it may be conformed to the body of his glory, by the power that also enables him to make all things subject to himself.
The divine nature of Jesus was revealed We are not called to transform but to transfigure. Transfiguration is an experience of faith. In our life, we may have the experiences of transfiguration by spending quality time with our loved ones, reducing our unfair treatment of others.
Transfiguration is not solitary even in the Gospel but one that happens over and over again. Jesus transfigured the lives of the broken, the wounded, and the wayward. The Transfiguration made Jesus get to who He really was.
And we all get closer to who we really are when we hear our name called in love. What would it take to transfigure the people we know and love? Will we be able to call them and listen to them lovingly? Metamorphosis is possible when we endearingly call people in love.
In our Lenten journey we are asked to transfigure each other by the power of God’s love in us.