There are moments in my life when I look on in awe – and think “Wow! God showed up!”
While I often sense His nearness in small ways in the day-to-day, there are those times when I am caught up in the awe – the wonder of His glory. Yes, sometimes, those are situations where I see how all of the “supposed coincidences” lead to an amazing result, but more often than not, it hits me when I am out walking, and the beauty of a sunset takes my breath away. The deep oranges, pinks, and reds swirl together, and the sun appears enormous. I feel I will be absorbed into the magnificent warmth and mystery of the moment. What an artist He is!
This Sunday’s Lenten readings describe some of these moments beginning with Abram. First, God shows him the starlit sky and promises that his descendants will be just as numerous! Abram boldly requests that God show him proof, and God delivers! He shows up big time – with smoke and fire! Abram was probably stunned, and his already solid faith got even stronger!
The Gospel relates an even more dazzling appearance for Peter, James, and John. In the Transfiguration account, the three sleepy heads nod off while Jesus is deep in prayer. What an awakening they have as they see Jesus looking like pure light while conversing with Moses and Elijah! Was this a natural sleep or like the trance experienced by Abram in the first reading? While we are not sure, we know that they quickly become fully awake! I imagine they were so absorbed in the light surrounding them, and all of this was occurring right before their eyes.
God Breaks In!
This Gospel recounting of the Transfiguration is always on the Second Sunday of Lent, and how I greatly appreciate its timing! As we get ready to begin the second full week of Lent, sometimes we can feel disheartened. There is still more than half of this season to go, and some of the initial zeal of our Lenten practices may be waning. We may be increasingly aware of our faults and weaknesses, and just then is when God breaks in!
The Transfiguration is a moment of divine revelation. Jesus makes His identity abundantly clear to reassure Peter, James, and John. He reveals a taste of the glory to come to sustain them during the not-too-distant events of what He would suffer.
The Transfiguration was not just for them. It is for us, too. Whatever we are going through, whether the mundane or the severe trial, He is breaking in for us too! He reveals Himself to us through Scripture and in the day-to-day if we just open the eyes of our hearts.
Listen to Him
How do we respond in our circumstances when, like the apostles, we feel as if we are in a cloud? We just need to hear the Father’s words as they were spoken on Mount Tabor: “This is my chosen Son; listen to him.”
Let us renew our efforts to spend Lent listening to Him! Let us take time every day, perhaps several times a day, to identify how God is showing up and to hear what He is saying. Like the apostles, let us ponder this in silence so that as our love for Christ grows, we too may reflect the light of His Transfiguration to others.
[Readings: Genesis 15:5-12, 17-18; Philippians 3:17—4:1; Luke 9:28b-36]
