This Lenten season, let us ponder on what we need to all do so that personal and social transformation happen
Tomorrow, the Second Sunday of Lent, we hear a familiar story – The Transfiguration of Jesus Christ.
The Gospel of Mark tells us that Jesus, together with Peter and James, and John his brother, led them up a high mountain.
There He was transfigured before them, and His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became white as light.
It was a special grace for Peter and James and John to see Jesus transfigured.
They experienced a preview of the glory of Jesus risen from the dead and his glory in heaven. It was also a sneak peak of the glory all hope to partake in heaven.
Yet despite this intimate experience Peter did not remain faithful to him especially during his most trying time.
They had seen Jesus transfigured, heard the Father’s command to listen to Jesus, saw personally the miracles performed by Jesus yet they were scandalized by the Passion of Jesus.
Much like the disciples, we too experience and meet Jesus in special ways and yet we too often let him down.
How do we respond to the reality of our sinfulness? Are we like Peter or Judas.
Yet we are most fortunate because we have a loving father who is only too eager to extend his mercy to his errant children.
The Transfiguration of Christ was a profound experience witnessed by select Apostles. This divine revelation of Christ’s glorified form was a unique privilege, etched in the memories of the witnesses.
Even years later, St. John recalled the event, emphasizing the awe-inspiring sight of Christ’s glory.
St. Peter, too, writing to churches in Asia Minor, attested to this transformative encounter, underscoring its significance as a firsthand witness to Christ’s majesty.
This privilege extends beyond the Apostles; we, too, partake in its significance.
The Transfiguration served to fortify the Apostles for the impending trial of Christ’s passion and death, offering them a glimpse of the future glory they would share.
Similarly, the Church presents this story during Lent, a season of self-denial and reflection, to encourage believers in their spiritual journey.
Amidst the clamor of false promises urging worldly indulgence, the Transfiguration reminds us of the ultimate destination and the importance of steadfast faith in the Son of God.
In mortifying ourselves during Lent, we strive for a future life of glory, guided by the assurance of Christ’s divine presence and promises.
According to Pope Francis, the Transfiguration occurs at a precise moment in Christ’s mission, that is, after he has confided to his disciples that he would have to “suffer many things, […] be killed, and on the third day be raised”.
Jesus knows they do not accept this reality — the reality of the Cross, the reality of Jesus’ death —, and so he wants to prepare them to withstand the scandal of the passion and death on the Cross, so that they may know that this is the way through which the heavenly Father will lead his Son to glory; by raising him from the dead.
And this will also be the way for the disciples: no one can reach eternal life if not by following Jesus, carrying their own cross in their earthly life.
We can all agree that our country needs conversion. The poverty, injustice, and inequity of our society is difficult to bear.
This is the only conclusion when one is at the frontlines with environmental and human rights defenders, climate justice advocates, and indigenous leaders that are being attacked by the state and corporate interests.
Thirty-eight years after the EDSA revolution succeeded in overthrowing the US-Marcos dictatorship, as I wrote in the last column, our challenges have intensified.
This Lenten season, let us ponder on what we need to all do so that personal and social transformation happen.
Like Peter, James, and John, we might be confused now but we will see the light with the Cross and the Resurrection.
Every day in Lent, it serves us all well if we pray, even shout out with passion this beautiful antiphon: “Today if you hear the voice of the Lord, harden not your hearts.”
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