Reflection - Second Sunday of Lent

Every year on the Second Sunday of Lent, the Church takes us to the Mount of the Transfiguration, along with Peter, James, and John. There the three apostles witness a vision so amazingly beautiful they can’t look away. Yet the sight of Jesus in his resurrected glory talking with Moses and Elijah was also terrifying! Who could endure it?

Peter is both transfixed and paralyzed by his fear when he manages to speak to Jesus. He wants to remain at that spot on the mountaintop with Jesus, Moses, and Elijah, and never leave. But it cannot be. Jesus tells Peter that they have to go back down the mountain and continue their journey.

Why does the Church give us this vision so early in Lent? It seems like we should hear this account of Jesus in his glory during the Easter season.

It’s only been eleven days since ashes were smeared on our foreheads as we entered into the season of Lent. Have we kept up with the traditional Lenten disciplines of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving? Have we drawn closer to Christ in our prayer and works of mercy? Or have we returned to life as usual? It’s easy to slip back into our routines. Life is busy with our obligations to our work, school, and family.

The vision of the Transfiguration is a glimpse of what’s waiting for us at Easter. It reminds us why we go through forty days of prayer and penance in Lent. It’s why we may pray the stations of the cross and other Lenten devotions. This is all to prepare for the celebration of the greatest mystery of our faith: the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus.

No, it’s not Easter yet. We still have to go down the mountain, like the apostles did, and pick up our crosses and follow Christ. We’re not there yet. But we’re on our way. Transfiguration is like a “preview of coming attractions.” It whets our appetites for the glory that is to come so we don’t lose sight of what’s in store.

Peter wants to stay on top of the mountain with Jesus and his glory. However, it’s not possible for him. Not during this life. It’s not possible for us either. But we know that this is what awaits those who follow Christ in the world to come. We will be with God in his glory, along with the communion of saints, for all eternity. It will be an eternal Easter.

No, we’re not there yet. But we have glimpses of the glory that is to come throughout our life to keep us motivated and moving in the right direction.