2nd Sunday of Lent

The Gospel you will hear or have heard proclaimed this weekend is a piece of Luke’s Gospel called The Transfiguration. It’s an important enough piece that it is also found in the Gospels of Matthew and Mark and as well and it bears the same title. At the Transfiguration, Peter, James and John, Jesus’ favourite Apostles, are given the opportunity to see the divinity of Jesus and not just His humanity while he performs divine actions (miracles, healings, casting out evil spirits etc). Before their eyes, Jesus is transfigured and his clothing becomes as white as snow and his face shone like the sun.  At the end of that event the voice of God is heard to say; “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to Him.”

If we try to situate this event it comes after Jesus asked his disciples who the people were saying He was and He follows that up by asking them who they say He is to which Peter responds “The Messiah of God.” In Matthew’s Gospel Simon Peter responds: “ You are the Messiah the Son of the living God.” Then Jesus sternly tells the apostles to not tell anyone that he’s the Messiah.

Looking back at the accounts in scripture Jesus is now starting to prepare His disciples for his suffering, death and resurrection. He wants them to know and maybe even understand and accept that all these horrible things have to happen to Him.

Therefore, what do we have: the teaching about prayer, fasting and almsgiving, the story of the temptations that Jesus endured and overcame in the wilderness and this weekend three apostles being given the opportunity to see, physically see, not only the humanity of Jesus but the divinity of Jesus.

As we continue on through the season of Lent with all of this front and center in our minds as we concentrate on prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Let these be the tools we use to challenge and overcome the temptations we are faced with every day. They will get us through, one day at a time, one moment at a time. Let’s also use the support of family, friends and our parish community to support us. We don’t get to live out our faith and trust in Jesus on our own; it’s done with others. Let’s be for each other.

Deacon Ray