The Glory of God as Man
Lent's second Sunday
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Dear Saints,
Sunday's Gospel reading recounts the Transfiguration of Jesus. Having led Peter, James, and John up a high mountain by themselves, Jesus is transformed before them. Moses and Elijah appear alongside of Jesus, and his clothes become "dazzling white." The Apostles are overcome with awe.
Jesus' Transfiguration is much more than mere spectacle. The scene serves as the turning point of Luke's Gospel. The path Jesus now walks, confirmed by the witness of the Law (Moses) and the Prophets (Elijah), will lead to his enthronement as King of the Jews.
If you can embrace the irony of what I just said, you might enjoy the narrative that emerges from a careful reading of the Gospels: The Transfiguration reveals the glory of man, while the Crucifixion reveals the glory of God.
That's a real challenge to understand, but I think it's good fodder for fruitful meditation. The main points of reflection are:
Jesus' radiating, through his every pore, God's glorious light shows what we're capable of as human beings. We were made, in many ways we can now only glimpse, to embody and radiate God's light, life, and love!
The Crucifixion demonstrates just how self effacing Love really is. God is total self-gift all the way through and all the way to the end. Jesus' crucifixion is God's crowning moment!
Towards the end of the Transfiguration scene, Peter suggests (somewhat comically) that they remain on top of the world. He's missed the point: Jesus must leave the mountain heights to blaze a valley trail below.
Jesus shows forth the glory of God as man by embodying the power, and achieving the victory, of self-giving love. His victory is ours to implement as, trusting and following Jesus, we give ourselves away in God's service, radiating his love to a waiting world.
We take on this charge together, my friends. Check out www.olmc.church/lent to join us on the Lenten, light-to-the-world, way.
I love you, my friends, and I look forward to seeing you very soon.
Christ's Peace,
Father Daniel
δοῦλος Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ
PS Welcome Home to Healing is back. Churches in the Diocese of Paterson are open for confessions every Monday night, 7:00-8:30pm. The last Monday for the initiative is April 4.
Preparing for Mass?
Check out this weekend's readings:
Second Sunday of Lent
Transfiguration of Christ
Luca Giordano, 1685