Second Sunday of Lent: C: March 13, 2022

 THE TRANSFIGURATION OF THE LORD JESUS

First Reading: Genesis 15: 5-12 and 17-18

Second Reading: Philippians 3:17 to 4:1

Gospel Reading: Luke 9: 28-36

   *First reading is from the book of Genesis. The covenant made between the Lord God and Abraham is narrated in detail. Abraham expresses his belief in the Lord God and the Lord God in return promises him descendants as many as the stars in heaven and promises that his progeny would have the land to live in. The Lord God in His covenant with Abraham takes greater obligations. He assures Abraham that He would be always faithful to the promises made. 

   *Second reading is from the letter of St. Paul to Philippians. Paul makes an earnest appeal to Christians in Philippi to hold fast to the faith they have received. He assures them that Lord Jesus will transform their lowly bodies to be like His glorious body and they need to stand firm in the Lord. 

This my Son, my chosen, listen to Him                                                             Today's Gospel reading from St. Luke. The transfiguration of the Lord Jesus on Mount Tabor is described in great detail. Jesus was transfigured in the presence of His beloved disciples: Peter, James and John. They witnessed His heavenly glory on the mountain. They saw Jesus with Moses and Elijah- two great prophets of the old Testament. During the transfiguration experience they were overshadowed by a cloud and a voice from heaven proclaimed, "This is my Son, my chosen, listen to Him." It is very significant that at the transfiguration scene the whole Trinity - Father, Son and Holy Spirit- were present: The Father in the voice from heaven; the Son in the human Jesus and the Holy Spirit in the bright cloud - just like at the time of baptism of Jesus. The transfiguration experience strengthened the disciples and opened their eyes and to have a glimpse of God's abiding presence in His Son Jesus. The key to the transfiguration experience and the revelations of God is in prayer - in union with the heavenly Father. It is in those periods of deep prayer that we are most likely to witness and experience the glory of God as in the transfiguration of Jesus. Lent is the chosen time to have glimpse of the transfigured Jesus. That experience has to begin from within us with the power of God's grace. 

"The clarity which Christ assumed in His transfiguration was the clarity of glory as of its essence, but not as to its mode of being. For the clarity of the glorified body is derived from that of the soul." - St. Augustine