On the Second Sunday of Lent, the Gospel speaks about the Transfiguration of our Lord. Jesus took three of his disciples Peter, James, and John to the mountain and transfigured before them. These disciples were privileged to witness some of the intense and unique moments in the life of Jesus. During the time of Transfiguration, Moses and Elijah appeared and spoke to Jesus. Both Moses (Exodus 19:3) and Elijah (1 Kings 19:8-12) had encountered God on the mountain of Sinai (Horeb) and received revelation from God for the people. Moses represents the Law and Elijah, the Prophets. That means the entire Old Testament is manifested through these two great figures.
Moses and Elijah are also here to confirm that their mission is accomplished with the coming of the Lord. The purpose of their special vocation was to prepare the people of Israel for the coming of the Messiah. Now this mountain of Transfiguration is changed into the “new Sinai” for us. Jesus is the fulfillment of the Old Testament and is giving the New Covenant to the new Israel. Moses and Elijah helped the people to walk through the ways of God. Jesus has a far greater mission than them. He is the one who leads us from the slavery of sin to the Promised Land of heaven.
The mountain in the Bible is often a place to meet God in prayer. Both Moses and Elijah went to the mountain to meet God. Jesus also prays on the mountain and gives great sermons from there. Just like Jesus went up to the mountain, every Sunday we need to climb to our mountain in prayer to meet Jesus. Once we encounter Jesus in the Eucharist, we are transformed into a new creation. Lent is a special time we try to enter the mountain with the Lord through our fasting and prayer. During the Transfiguration, the disciples told Jesus that it was good to be there with him. It is also good to be for us to spend time with Jesus. These prayer moments actually strengthen us to face the challenges of our daily lives. In the Transfiguration description, Moses and Elijah disappeared after some time. But Jesus remained with them. The beautiful experience of our life is that Jesus always remains with us even in our trials and tribulations.
Transfiguration happened while Jesus was in prayer. All those who pray can receive power from heaven, as God may reveal many inner secrets of the divine life. As the face of Jesus changed, those who connect with God may reflect the face of God in their life. We are the new Israel following Christ. This Transfiguration invites us to have a transformation of life. Heaven opens for us today, and God continues to ask us to listen to the words of Jesus. Let us promise the Lord that we will be his faithful and obedient disciples.
My dear sisters and brothers in Christ, in order to listen to Jesus, we must be close to him, and follow him like the disciples and the many people of the gospel. We know that the light coming from the sun is so powerful and is necessary for all kinds of life on Earth. How much more do we need the powerful light coming from Jesus to illumine our darkened lives? During this Lenten Season, we must contemplate the face of Jesus every day and thus our face would be transformed into a reflection of the face of Jesus. Jesus was able to open heaven for us and make it possible to enter there. Now we also must take our brothers and sisters along with us as we go through this door to meet Jesus.
Rev. Dr. Mathew Charthakuzhiyil