2nd Sunday of Lent, Year C – Homily
2nd Sunday of Lent, Year C
Genesis 15:5-12, 17-18
Psalm 27:1, 7-8, 8-9, 13-14 (1a)
Philippians 3:17-4:1
Luke 9:28b-36
March 13, 2022
Peter, James, and John “saw his glory.” Imagine getting to see Jesus transfigured into glory as we will see him in Heaven. It was an incredible experience.
Seeing Jesus in his glory, Peter said, “Master, it is good that we are here.” Indeed it was. Peter was so overcome by the experience such that “he did not know what he was saying.” He just knew it was incredible and did not want the experience to end. Hence, his words, “let us make three tents.” He wanted this to last.
As the Transfiguration ended, Peter, James, and John simply “fell silent.” It was an experience that they did not yet know how to put into words.
Let’s reflect on what happened. Jesus took them up on “the mountain to pray.” Going up on the mountain symbolized getting closer to God. Praying indicates dialogue with God.
Jesus’ face changing and his clothes becoming “dazzling white” are an image of his glory.
The presence of Moses signifies that Jesus is the fulfillment of the Law that God delivered to his people through Moses. Jesus does not come to abolish the Law but rather to fulfill it (see Matthew 5:17).
The presence of Elijah, one of the great prophets, symbolizes that Jesus is the fulfillment of the prophecies of a Messiah. Jesus is the one they have been waiting for.
The voice from the cloud confirms this, “This is my chosen Son, listen to him.”
We should also not lose sight of the fact that when Moses and Elijah appeared, they too “appeared in glory.” As Paul writes, “He will change our lowly body to conform with his glorified body.” In the Resurrection we will share in his glory.
We hear the story of Jesus’ Transfiguration every year on the Second Sunday of Lent. Why?
Lent is a season of conversion. Are we open to letting God change us? Now, we won’t be transfigured to glory until the Resurrection but even now, God wants to work in us to help become what we are meant to be.
To change, we need grace.
We also need models to follow. Here Paul writes, “Join with others in being imitators of me. Paul is not boasting of how great he is. He has strived to follow Jesus and thus serves as a model to follow.
Who do you follow as your model?
- Is it some sports star?
- Is it a politician?
- Is it a business leader?
- Is it a kind-hearted person?
- Is it a faithful practicing Catholic?
Do you seek to conform yourself to the world or to conform your life to Christ? Do you see that our true “citizenship is in heaven”?
Do you remember how the story of the Transfiguration began? “Jesus took Peter, John, and John and went up the mountain to pray.” This was not the initiative of Peter, James, and/or John. It happened on Jesus’ initiative. Jesus was the one taking the lead.
Likewise, “the Lord God took Abram outside…” It was God’s initiative. Do you let the Lord take the lead in your life?
Abraham did. “Abram put his faith in the LORD who credited it to him as an act of righteousness.”
Do you put your faith in the Lord?
We need conversion from sin and we need God’s help. When we say an Act of Contrition, we say we firmly intend….to sin no more. Do we do this on our one? Not successfully. We need help.
God will help.
That’s why we say, I firmly intend with the help of your grace to sin no more. We need God’s help.
Are you open to God changing you?