Second Sunday of Lent: C: March 16, 2025

 THE TRANSFIGURATION OF LORD JESUS

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

Second Reading: Philippians 3: 17 to 4: 1

Gospel Reading: Luke 9: 28 to 36

   *First reading is from the book of Genesis. The Solemn Covenant made between the Lord God and Abraham is narrated in detail. Abraham expresses his deep faith in the Lord God. 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 and responsibilities. He assures Abraham that He would be always faithful to the promises that He made. With the Covenant, not only is Abram's name changed by the Lord God to Abraham, but his whole destiny is transformed as he now becomes the father of many nations. 

   *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 the Lord Jesus will transform their lowly bodies to be like His glorious body but they need to stand firm in the Lord. Paul clarifies and assures us that our homeland is in heaven. It is from there our Saviour will come "to transfigure those wretched bodies of ours into copies of his glorious body." (Philippians 3: 21)

This is my Son, my chosen, listen to Him.                                                           Today's Gospel reading is from St. Luke. The transfiguration of  Lord Jesus on Mount Tabor is described in great detail. Jesus takes Peter, James and John to Mount Tabor. On the mountain, He is transfigured in the presence of His beloved disciples. They witness His heavenly glory on the mountain. They see Jesus with Moses and Elijah: Two great prophets of the Old Testament. During the transfiguration experience, they are overshadowed by a cloud and a voice from heaven proclaims: "This is my Son, my chosen, listen to him." It is very significant to note that, at the transfiguration scene, the whole Trinity-The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit-are present: The Father, in the voice from heaven; the Son, in the human Jesus and the Holy Spirit, in the bright cloud. Just as at the time of baptism of Jesus at Jordan. The transfiguration experience greatly strengthens the disciples and opens their eyes to have a glimpse of God's abiding presence in His Son Jesus. The key to the transfiguration experience and to the revelations of God consists in prayer: In union with the heavenly Father. It is in those moments of intense prayer that we are most likely to witness and experience the glory of God as in the transfiguration of Jesus or in any other heavenly experiences. Lent is the chosen time to have a glimpse of the transfigured Jesus. That experience has to begin from within us with the grace of God. On Mount Tabor, Peter, James and John got a glimpse of the heavenly glory that was present in Jesus, and they were delighted by it. Through faith we too can witness the glory of the Risen Lord who lives among us. Transfiguration of Jesus is also a pointer to our own transformation at resurrection when we too will experience the heavenly glory with Him. In this context the great theologian St. Augustine says: "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." May Lord Jesus who transfigured on Mount Tabor bless you abundantly and lead you to the heavenly experience that His beloved disciples Peter, James and John had. Amen. 

(Kindly note: Sunday Reflections with Fr. Joy Joseph is available on YouTube. Please view, like, share and subscribe to the video version on YouTube. "YouTube/Sunday Reflections with Fr. Joy Joseph, March 16, 2025." Thanks.)