Dear Believers in the Christ,

On this Second Sunday of Lent, Luke 9:28B-36 takes us to a mountaintop for the Transfiguration. Our perspective has radically changed from the desert; here we see a vision of who Jesus is and who he will become. Jesus finds his place among the prophets, and he becomes a vision in white for the disciples. 

The disciples are overwhelmed at the sight of Jesus’ appearance. They think this might be the end of the road where his work might now be accomplished. However, even more things happen. The Father’s voice from heaven declares Jesus to be his son. The voice of the Father tells the disciples to listen to Jesus because he will lead them far beyond this mountaintop.

In the Transfiguration moment, everything changes. However, the real moment will take place on another mountain, which is Calvary. On that mountain, Jesus will die, and that act will really transform everything. In this Lenten season, we capture a scene that is also for our lives. In believing in Christ Jesus, we are linked to the Trinity. Jesus has much authority to transfigure our lives as well.

In Lent, through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, our lives are transfigured. We become more in line with Jesus, his words, and his role as Messiah. We are invited to discover him more intimately, to stay with him as the disciples desired to do when they saw his white clothing. Lent draws us into this love, into his forgiveness, and mercy as the Son of the Father. 

We all may have many excuses not to follow him. We don’t like change. We are comfortable enough in our faith by Sunday attendance at Mass. We don’t want to give up control. We hoard power and relish our prestige. We think if we let go of such things, we will be left with nothing. Our egos seldom desire such change because we fear being destroyed or annihilated. However, in faith, all things are made new, and all doubt, discouragement, and displeasure shall become filled with forgiveness and grace. 

Yet, the disciples show us that real change can happen. When we let go of our control we listen to and hear the voice of the Father. We are challenged to move away from the comfortable into an even more genuine following of Christ Jesus. To truly follow Christ, the path to Calvary will be inevitable. Letting go in our Lenten season will show us that God is God and we are not. 

There are many things that need to be changed in Lent. We need to be rescued from our inaction toward the poor and pay more attention to the love God has for us all. We shall find our path toward forgiveness even when we are the obstacles. We shall find our lives within the company of the prophets who even know our names. We ultimately become more deeply aware that we are sinners, yet we are also redeemed in the dying and rising of Christ Jesus. 

God give you peace,

Fr. Ron Raab, CSC, Pastor