Today is the second Sunday of Lent.
The second Sunday of Lent always has as it’s Gospel reading the story of the Transfiguration of Jesus. Like so many things in our faith the Transfiguration is about the identity of Jesus.
You might notice that the Transfiguration story follows close after Peter’s Confession. In between Jesus talks about His Passion to come. It seems to me the Transfiguration is, at least in part, intended to strengthen Peter, James, and John for the trials to come and to improve the chances of them remaining faithful so as to be witnesses to others and build the Church Jesus told Simon (Peter) He was going to build on him.
Maybe this is intended for us in a similar way. Not only do we hear about this in Scripture but many have spiritual experiences that can serve as a reinforcement and strengthening of their faith. As members of the Common Priesthood we are to sacrifice for our people and proclaim Christ to others. Don’t we all sometimes have doubts or feel fatigued at all we encounter in doing these things? Don’t we all need some reassuring and strengthening sometimes?
What in our lives provides that for us? After all, Peter, James, and John, who a deacon friend recently described as the PJs in relation to their inability to stay awake at Gethsemane, had Jesus in the flesh. Maybe that’s part of the role of the Eucharist in our lives. After all, if we truly believe in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist doesn’t that reassure us and strengthen us in our faith? In fact, one of the purposes of the Mass is to nourish us on God’s word in Scripture and the Body and Blood of Christ in the Eucharist before we are sent back out into the world on mission.
So, as we journey through Lent let’s all think about the way Christ is made present to us, sort of our own little Transfiguration, and be fortified by it for what lies ahead for us just as the PJs were.
That’s it for now. Thanks for reading.
I hope you have a great week.
Peace, Bob
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