Change Bound for Glory: Reflection for the 2nd Sunday of Lent

While [Jesus] was praying his face changed in appearance and his clothing became dazzling white. Lk 9:29

Throughout the Lenten season much is said and done to invite us to change from something to something else.  We pray for a change of heart, mind, and spirit with every intent to experience a dazzling Transformation.  From Luke’s passage we Imagine how Peter, John and James awakened by the “glory” of Jesus standing with Elijah and Moses were elated with the vision before them.  This scene of the “glory” must have been beyond the beyond for them then and still for us today. 

What does this transformational change mean for us today?  Where are the flickering lights of hope in our common home?  How will we get there?

The Transfiguration of Jesus is often interpreted to be a rehearsal of his future glory, his resurrection.  A preview of the moment when Jesus reveals his divinity a rehearsal to be played out during the Lenten season.  Walking down from the sacred mountain after the close encounter with the God, Jesus and his close companions are bound for glory each in their respective God plan.  This epic Jesus event is a wakeup call for us to reflect on the paschal mystery a timeless event that transcends the passage of time and space- not just an event that happened 2,000 years ago. 

As a global community each in our own land may be impacted by climatic challenges, political turmoil, social and economic inequality, and more.  We hear Jesus tell his disciples there are hard days ahead, but at the time they did not fully understand or even seem to be listening to him.  There was probably some frustration for Jesus when sensing their limited grasp of him and their destined paths. 

Perhaps we might find it difficult to comprehend the many “how can this be” in our communities, families and countries.  Out of our despair, disappointment or outrage might emerge a change in us that calls for action.  Before we react or respond to the situation, Jesus invites us to listen with an open, loving and brave heart.  God said to the Apostles, “listen to Jesus, because he is my beloved Son.” 

This week let us keep these words in mind and heart when reading, hearing, or watching news in our sundry devices.  We, the disciples of Jesus are called to be people who listen to his voice and take his words seriously. We all spiritually benefit from ascending to mountain tops to seek God’s guidance in prayer.  But like Jesus we cannot stay there all the time.  The encounters with God evoke an inner desire to return to the people on the ground and to share the fruits of our contemplation.  And to follow the flickering lights of hope for change is possible together bound for glory with Jesus.