Homilies | Father Nathan

2nd Sunday of Lent

“This is my beloved Son.  Listen to him.”

— Mk 9:7

2nd Sunday of lent

Today’s Readings:

First Reading — Gn 22:1-2, 9a, 10-13, 15-18

Responsorial Psalm — 116:10, 15, 16-17, 18-19

I will walk before the Lord, in the land of the living.

Second Reading — Rom 8:31b-34

Gospel Reading — Mk 9:2-10

Transfiguration Sunday

The second Sunday of Lent is called “Transfiguration Sunday,” for its focus on that great mystery in the life of Christ and its effect on his apostles Peter, James, and John. This vision is given to the apostles – and to us – to build up our faith.

We celebrate a specific “Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord” each year on August 6th in the liturgical calendar of the Church, so we are really given two opportunities in the course of the year to ponder the great “vision of glory,” as the Transfiguration.

The Transfiguration of Christ is believed to have occurred on Mount Tabor. This event left the apostles deeply moved for its clear revelation of the divinity of Christ before his suffering death and resurrection. In a way, the apostles were prepared for the mystery of his death.

The reason why Jesus transfigured before was;

First and foremost is the glimpse and assurance the apostles are given that their Master is indeed more than a mere man. He is in fact the Son of God, and therefore, they were assured that He is the way, the truth, and the life and through whom they will find life.

Secondly, the Transfiguration carries with it the conviction that Christ will return in glory, just as he promised, with saving power for all who put their trust in him.

Thirdly, the Transfiguration is an encouragement that even though the Lord would undergo rejection and death, that is not the end, but the way to resurrection and bestowal of eternal life in the world.

The primary purpose of Jesus’ Transfiguration was to allow him to consult his Heavenly Father and ascertain His plan for His Son’s suffering, death, and Resurrection.

Transfiguration in Our Lives

The same transformation or transfiguration takes place in our lives too.  The first change begins at Baptism, which washes away original sin, transforming us into children of God and heirs of Heaven. The second transformation takes place every time we come out of the confessional. The third transformation takes place at death.  Eternal life in Heaven. The last transformation of transfiguration will be completed at the Second Coming when our glorified body is reunited with our soul.

“This is my beloved Son, listen to him.”

You might have heard of the man who wanted to test his wife’s hearing.

He stood some distance behind her and said, “Honey, can you hear me?” Having received no answer, he moved closer and again whispered, “Honey, can you hear me?”

Again, having received no answer he moved right up behind her and softly said, “Honey can you hear me?” She replied, “For the third time I say to you, yes!”

– In some ways, this story could be analogous to our communication with God.

We constantly check to see if He is listening, in hopes that He will respond to our needs. In reality, He hears us, but He has asked us to listen to Him as well. Lent should be a listening time for each of us. When we learn to listen, our lives become obedient lives. At the close of the transfiguration scene described in today’s Gospel, the three apostles hear the word of God from the cloud, “This is my beloved Son, listen to him.”

Bread and Wine Transformed

In each Holy Mass, the bread and wine we offer on the altar are transformed into the crucified and risen, living body and blood of Jesus by transubstantiation.  Just as Jesus’ transfiguration strengthened the apostles in their time of trial, each holy Mass should be our source of Heavenly strength against temptations, and our renewal during Lent. 

In addition, our Holy Communion with the living Jesus should be the source of our daily “transfiguration,” transforming our minds and hearts so that we may do more good, by humble and selfless service to others.

1. So let us check and see to ourselves, how I am allowing transformed and transfigured Jesus to work into my life?
2. Am I really relishing or cherishing the transfiguration of Jesus that celestial experience that takes place right now and right here?
3. As the transfiguration took place, we learned God’s words from the cloud, “This is My Beloved Son; listen to him,” are similar to the words used by God at Jesus’ baptism: “You are My beloved Son; with you, I am well pleased” Mk 1:11). God was pleased with Jesus.

The same God, who has called through our baptism and adopted you as His sons and daughter, will be able to say the words stating “THIS IS MY BELOVED SON? DAUGHTER WITH WHOM I AM WELL PLEASED” what would he say about us.

Let us think about it.

Amen