Transfigured and Transformed

 Second Sunday of Lent: Cycle C - March 13, 2022

Readings: Genesis 15:5–12, 17–18; Psalm 27:1, 7–9, 13–14; Philippians 3:17–4:1; Luke 9:28–36

(Transfiguration of Jesus by Peter Paul Rubens)
To listen to my audio-video reflections on YouTube, please click on this link 

On 12th of March 2022, the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) worldwide celebrates the 400th anniversary (1622) of the canonization of its founding Fathers, St Ignatius of Loyola and St Francis Xavier. For us, Jesuits it's a time for renewal and to recommit ourselves to embrace the grace of holiness. Ultimately our only desire is to see God and to know God, even as He knows us. The life of these two men is nothing but a long story of conversion which led them to canonization, the honour of the altar.  Their dreams of youth were replaced by an extraordinary experience of the encounter of God which brought them to the people of unknown geographies. Coming from noble and wealthy families, both Ignatius and Xavier would begin to work under the Banner of the Cross, embracing Christ the poor and humble. They would set out to enkindle the fire of love from Rome to India to Japan and finally to China. The Mount Tabor experience of the disciples of Jesus, Peter, James and John would set them in another direction where they would immerse themselves in the beauty of transfiguration and be transformed by it completely. 

1. God is a tremendous and fascinating mystery to be experienced

Our life pushes through from one experience to another, from one event to another. Each experience is meaningful and gives a certain direction, which might not be completely visible and actual at the moment of its happening. The transfiguration experience that Jesus goes through on that mountain with his three close disciples, Peter, James and John not only clarifies the mission of Jesus clearly, but it also strengthens the faith and confidence of disciples in the person of Jesus. The gospel reading of today which is read during every Lenten season gives a call to each one of us his followers to experience the transfiguration experience of Jesus in some part of our life. To be an authentic follower of Jesus, we too must have that experience of our Master. Just like those disciples who went through this deep and unexplainable experience, we too are invited to immerse ourselves into this experience of the Lord.

To put it in the words of the theologian, Rudolf Otto (1869-1937), the transfiguration experience on the mountain by our Lord (Luke 9:28–36) is nothing but an exposition of God as mysterium tremendum et fascinans, "God as a tremendous and fascinating mystery." As a mystery, "wholly other" is entirely different from anything we experience in ordinary life. It evokes a reaction of silence. It is also a tremendous mystery. It provokes terror because it presents itself as overwhelming power. Finally, it is also a mystery, which is fascinating as merciful and gracious. In fact, this awesome experience is not limited to one person but to others, especially to those who are close followers of Jesus. When God reveals himself who he is, he reveals completely and wholly. It is an unlimited experience where there are no boundaries and locks. Everything is revealed and shared. That is why, Peter would tell Jesus and others, “Master, it is well that we are here" (Luke 9:33). Feeling good and being at your place in calm and tranquillity is a grace in itself. 

2. We are transformed by grace

The gospel passage that we have been reading says, "And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!” And when the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silence and told no one in those days anything of what they had seen." (Luke 9:35-36). The voice of God can be heard and experienced. Jesus' own experience of his Father was a direct indication that he is the right and only person who has come into the world to do God's Will. Therefore, everyone must listen to him, obey him and follow him. There are no contradictory truths in this. Only one truth is that Jesus is the Lord. He is the one "who has come to give life and life in abundance" (John 10:10). Nothing more, and nothing less. Everything revolves around this truth of existence and the truth of life experience. John Newton (1790) would say, “If the Lord be with us, we have no cause of fear. His eye is upon us, His arm over us, His ear open to our prayer, His grace sufficient, His promises unchangeable.” That is the trust we must cultivate.

The transfiguration experience of Jesus is an important one because of its timing and upcoming events. From this experience onwards, Jesus would be preparing himself for what is to come: passion, cross, suffering, death and resurrection. In order to fulfil God's word, He gives strength and courage whatever that order or task be. The transfiguration experience is certainly an experience of liberation and deliverance. Things would be clear now, more certain than ever before. Often this experience is also called as the revelation of the glory of the Trinity - the voice of the Father, the glorified Son, and the Spirit in the shining cloud.

3. Putting our faith into practice

Any God experience for that matter is not for oneself or for one's benefit, but for the use of the community. Therefore, every gift or talent that we have is not to satisfy one's egoistic tendencies but to put to use towards the service of my fellow neighbour. My experience of God is communicated to others by this experience of giving, living and transforming. Therefore, the "other" does not become my enemy but my good neighbour, my fellow traveller in the life journey which ends in that fullness of grace - eternity.  Therefore there is no place for war, conflict, bloodshed, jealousy, anger, revenge, stealing, corruption, nepotism, partiality, and so on. When we have that experience of transfiguration, we move from conflict to communion, from war to peace, from revenge to friendship, from rage to relationship. 

The continuing bloodshed in Ukraine brings tears in our eyes as we see the enormous loss of life, misery, suffering, death and destruction and utter stupidity of man's ego and human corruptibility. The brothers of the same faith fight at each other in order to show who is supreme and whose words have to be listened. There is no place for mutual understanding and cooperation, instead might is right is the order of the day. Perhaps the episode on the transfiguration of Jesus must have been read by all these parties who are in conflict and war. It looks like nothing has transformed not just the political and military leaders but also the religious leaders who lead the Christian flock namely Synods, Patriarchs, Bishops, priests and Nuns. Such is the man's conspiracy, complacency, and crime at this point of our time.   

Finally, in all these earthly tragedies and sorrowful events, we must put the words of St. Paul in our lives as he encourages us not to focus on and live for earthly things but to lift up our heads and live for God. He says, “But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we also await a saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ. He will change our lowly body to conform with his glorified body by the power that enables him also to bring all things into subjection to himself” (Philippians 3:20-21). This is our Christian hope and Jesus is the Son of God and let this faith prevail forever. 

Questions for reflections:

1. If you were with Jesus like his other three disciples at the mount of transfiguration, what would have been your reaction to all that is going on there?
2. Do you recognize "Jesus is the Son of God"? What has been your experience lately of the person of Jesus in your life?
3. What is God doing today in your life and in the life of your family and the community?

Prayer:

As psalmist yearns I too seek Your presence, O LORD. Hide not your face from me. You Lord is my light and my salvation, my life's refuge. Therefore, there is no need for fear and being afraid. You are my courage and strength.  Help me Lord, in this Lenten period, I may have sure faith and trust in you as we go through a number of troubles and trials, fears and anxieties of the present and the future. 

"Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a right spirit within me." Holy God, as I stumble through this life, help me to create more laughter than tears, dispense more cheer than gloom, spread more joy than despair. Let me go forth in your peace, keeping your Spirit always in my mind; and bless me, I pray, that I might always follow your will and live in the radiance of your blessing. We make this prayer in Jesus' Holy Name. Amen.

- Fr Olvin Veigas, SJ 

11 March 2022