Second Sunday of Lent [C]
March 12, 2022
Luke 9:28b-36

Every second Sunday of Lent, the Church chooses the event of Transfiguration for our Gospel reading. During this moment, Jesus, together with three trusted disciples, went up to the mountain, and there, he was transfigured or changed appearance. He was radiating a divine glory, and His face turned to be a bright light. The two most outstanding persons in the Old Testament, Moses and Elijah, appeared and accompanied Jesus. He was manifesting His divine nature to the three disciples, and it was an overwhelmingly joyful moment. Simon did not want the experience to pass and offered to build tents there. The question is that why does the Church choose this reading for this season of Lent?

The answer lies on the topic that Moses, Elijah and Jesus were discussing: Jesus’ exodus. When we hear the word exodus, the first thing that comes to mind is that the Israelites under Moses escaped the slavery of Egypt. The Israelites passed through the Reed Sea, the desert from Egypt and eventually entered the Promised Land. Their final destination was the city of Jerusalem.
Then, why did Jesus speak about His exodus?
The reason is that Jesus is the new Israel, and as the old Israel passed through exodus, Jesus had to undergo His exodus. However, unlike the old Israel that started their exodus in Egypt, Jesus began His exodus in Jerusalem. Unlike the old Israel that was not faithful to God in the desert and worshipped idols, Jesus was obedient to His Father through suffering and death. Unlike the old Israel who entered the promised Land with many lost battles, Jesus rose from the death and won definitively against Satan and His kingdom. Unlike the old Israel who went up to the earthly city of Jerusalem, Jesus gloriously ascended to the heavenly Jerusalem.
After the event of Transfiguration, Jesus no longer stayed in Galilee but steadily moved toward the city of Jerusalem. This is why we have this reading for the season of Lent. As Jesus journeyed to His exodus in Jerusalem, we are also walking with Jesus in this season of Lent toward the Paschal Triduum: from the Mount of Transfiguration to the mount of Calvary.
The story of Transfiguration in the context of Lent gives us a precious lesson. Like Peter, we like to linger in the glorious moments of our lives. Yet, Jesus teaches that our real glory has to pass exodus. Our Egypt, our starting point, is none other than our old and sinful selves. Any moment of glory without dying to ourselves is fake, fickle and even addictive. It is undoubtedly not easy because we are craving for the feeling of pleasure, and when we get used to it, the harder it is to detach ourselves. Through the disciple of Lent, fasting, prayer and almsgiving, we are learning how to die to our desire to enjoy instant gratifications. When we can adequately order our worldly desires, the more our hearts desire for God, and the moment we are one with God, we find our true joy.

Valentinus Bayuhadi Ruseno, OP