Second Sunday of Lent: Transfiguration Manifestation

It may seem odd to hear the Gospel of the Transfiguration of Jesus during Lent. Wouldn't it fit better after Easter? After all, the disciples who witnessed it did not tell anyone else about it until after the Resurrection (Matthew 17:9). An answer is found a few verses after our Gospel selection. Jesus tells the disciples that he will suffer (Matthew 17:12). The vision of Jesus' glory shared by Peter, James, and John was meant to help them not to become discouraged by Jesus' death on the cross.

The story encourages us during the long season of Lent to be faithful to our prayers, our Lenten sacrifices, and our charity because we have seen a glimpse of the glory that is coming. Some of the details in the Gospel can help us understand.

First, we hear about Jesus' appearance, that "his face shone like the sun" (Matthew 17:2). Just as we can't look directly at the sun, so people thought that if they looked at the face of God they would die. If the disciples didn't believe that Jesus was the Son of God before, they surely did now. For us this can be a reminder that God is with us during this season of Lent, helping our faith to grow.

Next, the three disciples see Moses and Elijah, who were signs that Jesus fulfills the law and the prophets. But when Peter tries to keep them around by offering to set up tents for them, the voice of God interrupts. God tells them that now they should listen to Jesus. The Gospel tells us to keep our eyes on Jesus throughout Lent. Do I grumble about Lent, seeing it as another set of laws to be obeyed? Perhaps I'm forgetting that Lent is not about how much I do for God, but a time to reflect on what God has done for me.

The last line of the Gospel has Jesus admonishing the three not to tell anyone about their vision until after his resurrection. Maybe the disciples were tempted to brag that they were better than the other followers of Jesus. This reminds us that the sacrifices of Lent don't just make us look holy; they lead us to the new life of Easter.