The Transfiguration of our Lord: A Glimpse of Glory to Sustain

02 Sunday of Lent: March 01, 2026

Readings: Genesis 12:1-4; Psalm 33:4-5,18-20, 22; 2 Timothy 1:8-10; Matthew 17:1-9

Faith and trust are very important components of our lives. We do our business dealings based on faith and trust. The so-called disruptive technologies, which have made our lives easier today, like Ola, Uber, Rapido, Zomato, Swiggy, AirBNB, etc., are all built on trust. Interestingly, trust is a two-way communication, which is dynamic and proactive. We would not be agile and active if we didn't trust someone or didn't have faith in someone. The whole health sector is built on the caring nature of doctors, surgeons, nurses and medicines. So too, our spiritual life is built on faith and trust, even though we do not see God with our eyes or we have not experienced someone returning from God to say hello to us. In this context, we have beautiful readings on this Second Sunday in Lent. Abraham just listened to the voice of God and followed, including leaving behind his family and birthplace. Jesus communicates with his Father, and the glory of God is shown to the three disciples of Jesus. All these are possible because of the incredible faith and trust.

1. Consolations before the suffering and pain

The Gospel of Matthew 17:1-9 narrates the mysterious and luminous event of the Transfiguration. Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up a high mountain. There, before their eyes, He is transfigured—His face shines like the sun and His clothes become dazzling white. Moses and Elijah appear, conversing with Him. A bright cloud overshadows them, and the voice of the Father declares: “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” The disciples fall to the ground in fear, but Jesus touches them and says, “Rise, and do not be afraid.”  Beneath struggles, confusion, and fatigue, God is at work. 

The mountain is always a place of encounter, divine encounter. Jesus does not reveal His glory to the crowds, but to a few disciples who have already begun walking the difficult path with Him. The Transfiguration comes after Jesus speaks of His coming Passion. In other words, the vision of glory is given in the shadow of suffering. It is as though the Father is strengthening the disciples’ faith before the scandal of the Cross. In our own lives, moments of consolation often precede or accompany trials. God grants us light not to escape suffering, but to endure it.  

2. After the consolation, the necessity of getting back to work

Fascinatingly, one of the closest disciples of Jesus, Peter, reacts in a deeply human way: “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents…” He wants to prolong the experience. He wants to stay in the brightness. We too wish to remain in moments of spiritual joy—retreats, prayer experiences, clarity in vocation, deep peace. But the mountain is not a permanent dwelling. The Christian life is not about clinging to extraordinary experiences; it is about descending the mountain and walking faithfully through ordinary days.

The presence of Moses and Elijah is significant. They represent the Law and the Prophets—the whole history of Israel now finding fulfillment in Jesus. Yet the Father’s voice shifts the focus: “Listen to Him.” Not Moses. Not Elijah. Not even our own expectations. The heart of discipleship is attentive listening. In a world filled with competing voices—opinions, ideologies, anxieties—the Father directs us to one voice. The authority of Jesus is not loud or coercive; it is luminous and inviting.

3. God fills us with divine experiences

Strikingly, the disciples fall on their faces in fear when they hear the voice. Encountering divine glory exposes our smallness. Awe and fear are natural responses before the Holy. Yet the most tender moment in this passage is when Jesus approaches them, touches them, and says, “Do not be afraid.” The radiant Lord is also the gentle Lord. The One whose face shines like the sun is the same One who stoops to lift trembling disciples. Glory does not distance Him from us; it reveals who He truly is.

Finally, as they descend the mountain, Jesus instructs them not to tell anyone until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead. The full meaning of glory will only be understood in light of the Resurrection. Without the Cross and Resurrection, the Transfiguration could be misunderstood as a spectacle. But with Easter, we see that suffering and glory are mysteriously united. Jesus and his disciples experienced this tremendous divine experience because of the deep faith and trust that Jesus had in his Father. 

Questions for self-reflection:

1. Do I intentionally create space for prayer and deeper encounter with the Lord, or am I always absorbed in activity?
2. When I face confusion or suffering, do I remember those experiences of grace or light?
3. Does my encounter with Christ transform my patience, compassion, and integrity?

Prayer: 

Lord Jesus,

You who revealed Your hidden glory on the mountain, reveal also Your light within the ordinary paths of our lives. When we are burdened by confusion, strengthen us with the memory of Your radiance. When we cling to comfort, teach us the courage to descend the mountain and walk the road of faithful love. Help us to listen to Your voice above every other voice, and in moments of fear, let us feel Your gentle touch saying, “Do not be afraid.” May Your presence be enough for us—today and always—and may our lives reflect even a small ray of Your transforming light. We make this prayer in Jesus' Holy Name, Amen.

- Fr Olvin Veigas, SJ

E-mail: olvinveigas@jesuits.net

Blog: Celebrate Faith

Video: YouTube

26 February 2026

Lenten Journey - Finding Enormous Fidelity of God

First Sunday of Lent: February 22, 2026

Readings: Genesis 2:7–9; 3:1–7; Psalm 51:3–6; 12–14, 17; Romans 5:12–19; Matthew 4:1–11

The Temptation on the Mount by Duccio
To listen to my audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click here: https://youtu.be/jwZlUpPKSB8 

The sense of unworthiness before the immensity of God's providence is natural if we look at it with a sense of awe, faith and reverence. The abundance of the mighty creation in which we live is absolutely stunning. When we stand on the seashore and just gaze at the miles and miles of water or raise our eyes to the sky in the night with a bright moon and glittering stars, we quickly realize our smallness and imperfection. What we have around us is nature, forests, waters, rivers, seas, birds, animals, plants and trees, and so many other uncountable things, always enabling us to see the immensity and largeness of God the Creator. In this context, the sense of sin and sinfulness comes into the picture as we begin 40 days of Lenten journey. God continues to shower us with His mercy and compassion, love and forgiveness.

1. Lent begins not with activity, but with solitude.

The Gospel of Matthew 4:1–11 places us at the threshold of Lent, in the silence of the desert. Before Jesus begins His public ministry, He is led by the Spirit into the wilderness. The First Sunday of Lent invites us to enter that same space—not as spectators, but as pilgrims. The Spirit leads Jesus into the desert. It is striking that temptation is not outside God’s providence. The desert is not a mistake; it is a necessary passage.

Following in the Footsteps of God our Lord in Word and Deed

Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time: February 15, 2026

Readings: Sirach 15:15–20; Psalm 119:1–2, 4–5, 17–18, 33–34; 1 Corinthians 2:6–10; Matthew 5:17–37

To listen to my audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click here: https://youtu.be/rOc7Ve0JuC0

Can we solve the problems of this world by rules and regulations, laws and judiciary, police or army? Absolutely not. We can solve the problems in our society through good, value based educaton. Even the value-based education might not be the perfect answer. Probably, having the right mind and good value-based nurturing of men and women of this world might, to a great extent, help to take evil out of this world. There are so many men and women of great integrity who have shown the path of righteousness, truth, equality and justice. Jesus, being one of them, confronts his Jewish community to follow the right path. So that peace and harmony are established.  

1. Jesus disturbs our moral apathy

In today’s Gospel Matthew 5:17–37, Jesus stands before us not as one who abolishes the Law, but as one who brings it to fulfillment. He does not weaken moral demands; He deepens them. He does not settle for external compliance; He calls for interior transformation. “You have heard it said… but I say to you.” With these words, Jesus moves the conversation from behaviour to the heart. It is not enough that we avoid murder; we must uproot anger. It is not enough that we avoid adultery; we must purify desire. It is not enough that we speak truth under oath; our very word must be truthful. Jesus is not merely reforming rules—He is reshaping the human person.

Preaching from the Mountain - Making our Lives Purposeful, Meaningful and Joyful

5th Sunday in Ordinary Time:  February 08, 2026

Readings: Isaiah 58:7–10; Psalm 112:4–9; 1 Corinthians 2:1–5; Matthew 5:13–16

To listen to my audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click here: https://youtu.be/hEkPCrwnf7A

What is it that makes us needed in this world? It is when we feel loved, cared for, and sought after. However, to have such an aspiration, we too must be men and women of compassion, love, joy and peace. It means that we must be of some use to others. We must be men and women of such a nature that we have something to contribute to the lives of others, or have the capacity to do something for the welfare of people. This makes our lives meaningful, purposeful and joyful. The liturgical readings on this 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time invite us to make our lives purposeful, meaningful and useful just as the salt of the earth and lamp on a lampstand, as Jesus narrates the metaphors that could be applied very well to our lives as well.

1. Making life beautiful with simple things

In the Gospel of Matthew 5:13–16, Jesus speaks to us in images that are ordinary, almost humble—salt and light—yet charged with quiet power. He does not speak about rocket science. Through simple things, he makes us think big. He does not ask us to become something extraordinary or rare; he reminds us of what we already are. You are the salt of the earth. You are the light of the world. Not “you should be,” but “you are.” The call of discipleship begins not with achievement, but with identity. It is by being.