Second Sunday of Lent [February 25, 2018] Mark 9:2-10

Then Elijah appeared to them along with Moses, and they were conversing with Jesus.  (Mk. 9:4)

We are entering the second Sunday of Lent, and we read from the Gospel that Jesus is transfigured before His three disciples on the mountain. We may wonder why the Church select this reading for the liturgical season of Lent. The season is associated with the atmosphere of repentance and mortification as we intensify our prayer, fasting, and abstinence. Yet, we have a reading that depicts a glorious moment of Jesus on earth, and this surely brings an extremely edifying experience for the three disciples. It does not seem really proper for this Lenten season. Does it?

 

When Jesus is transfigured, two great figures of Israel, Moses, and Elijah come and converse with Jesus. The two figures represent two foundations of Israelite religious life: the Law and the Prophet. Yet, looking closely at the stories of these great persons, we may discover some interesting facts. Moses sees the burning bush at the Mount Horeb and receives the holy name of God of Israel (Exo 3). He also fasts for 40 days before he receives the Law from God in the mount of Sinai (Exo 34:28). Elijah on his part fasts from food when he walks 40 days to see God in the mount of Horeb (1 King 19:8). Both climb a mountain to witness the presence of God and receive their missions there. Like them, Jesus fasts for 40 days in the desert and goes up to the mountain to listen to the affirming voice of His Father.

However, the holy mountain does not simply lead them to the blissful encounter with the Divine, but it also reveals their life-changing mission. In Horeb, Moses is to deliver Israel from the slavery of Egypt. As a consequence, he has to deal courageously with the ruthless and stubborn Pharaoh. Not only with Pharaoh, but Moses also has to bear with his own people, Israel who keep complaining and blaming Moses for bringing them out of Egypt. Elijah receives task to anoint Hazael as a king of Aram, Jehu as a king of Israel, and Elisha as a prophet. Going down the mountain also means Elijah has to once again face Ahab, the king of Israel, and his vengeful and violent queen, Jezebel. As Jesus is leaving the mountain, He lets His disciples know that He has to suffer and die on the cross. From the mount of transfiguration, Jesus begins His way of the cross and marches toward another mount, the Calvary.

With today’s Gospel, the Church reminds us that the transfiguration is intimately linked to Jesus’ passion and resurrection. Thus, it is properly placed within the context of Lent. Like Jesus and His disciples, we also have our moments of transfiguration. It is where we encounter God, and His presence fills us with joy. One friend shared his experience of an unexpected utter peacefulness when he visited the Blessed Sacrament. He visited the Adoration Chapel often, yet only that day, he encountered the Lord, so alive in his heart. It was the day when he lost his job, had a big quarrel with his wife, and his father got a serious illness. Though he wanted to linger forever in that experience, he then realized that he had to go back to his life and struggle with the problems. He has a mission, and he has to continue his way of the cross. We have our own transfiguration and allow this precious moment empower us to carry our daily crosses.

Br. Valentinus Bayuhadi Ruseno, OP