The Second Sunday of Lent – Transfiguration of Jesus
By Sister Mary Lisa Megaffin, SND
The account of the Transfiguration, a rather mysterious segment in the life of Christ, provides many reflection points about the presence of God.
It almost seems as if Peter, James and John experienced a bit of an emotional roller coaster. First, they had heard (but probably not grasped) Jesus’ previous challenging messages as recounted in the gospel of Mark:
- That the Son of Man should suffer many things—a message which Peter tried to discount,
- The necessity of losing one’s life for the sake of the Gospel,
- That genuine disciples of Jesus must be ready to deny themselves and take up their personal crosses.
What a juxtaposition: from hard and potentially painful sayings, to the radiance of Christ’s clothing and countenance, to the ecstasy of the apostles–“it is good that we are here.” It is no wonder that Peter was at a loss for words–“he hardly knew what to speak because they were so terrified.”
What we can learn is that even in times of emotional turmoil, or perhaps especially in times of emotional turmoil, God is present and he will reveal himself to those whose hearts are ready to listen. During Lent, we have many opportunities to unplug, still our hearts, be led up a high mountain apart by ourselves, and embrace and surrender to the deep graces which this solitude fosters. Deep within, I hear “This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.” In this solitude, I can experience the radiance of God’s presence as I grow even closer in my personal relationship with Jesus, asking him:
- How is he, as the Son of Man, suffering today in my brothers and sisters around the world?
- What does losing my life for the sake of the Gospel mean, in light of this suffering?
- For the grace to be aware of the radiance of God’s presence even in difficult moments, as I deny myself and take up my cross, becoming a source of that radiance and grace for others.
“The grace of the Transfiguration is not just a vision of glory…its primary purpose is something greater: to empower us to live in the presence of God and to see the radiance of that presence in all events, people, the cosmos, and in ourselves.” …Thomas Keating.
In the Hands of the Potter 