TIME FOR A SPIRITUAL TRANSFORMATION.

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March 08 2020: Second Sunday of Lent - A



 

READINGS: Gn 12:1-4a; Ps 33:4-5, 18-19, 20, 22; 2 Tm 1:8b-10; Mt 17:1-9
An Iranian proverb says, “Necessity can change a lion into a fox.” Another proverb adds, “If you dance with the devil you can't change him but he will change.”
Many people suffer today, not so much of the worship of the personality, but mostly for the cult of the body. We live in a world where all will like to have a slim-fit body with developed muscles. The advertisings and medias today are all about the so-called star-body shape. We all, therefore, want a physical transformation. In that frenzy for physical transformation, no one think about the transformation of the spirit. Our body preoccupies us most than our spirit. The Lenten journey sounds today on this need for spiritual change or the metabolism of our spirit. We are all urged to undergo a process of transfiguration, that is, to have not a quantitative, but rather a qualitative change in our figure. Transfiguration is our vocation, what God calls us for as Christians.
The first reading today is the narration of Abraham’s vocation, a journey of transformation that will make of him, from the childless man to the father of many people. With the call of Abram, we learn that any transformation is a call to move from one’s previous reality to a new one; from one’s previous place of sterility to another one of fertility. Thus, the Lord called Abram, saying: “Go forth from the land of your kinsfolk and from your father’s house to a land that I will show you. I will make of you a great nation.”
On our side, like Abram, we do not have to be afraid to move toward the unknown. Fear paralyzes and hindered any journey toward the transformation. As Christians, it is a must for us to undertake this journey of transformation with God. We have, in one or another way, to leave our ‘countries’, that are, our zones of comfort and open ourselves to new realities, with all that this journey could have as surprises and difficulties. May we not fail to say that, any journey has its difficult sides; mostly the journey toward the unknown is made of crosses. So, St. Paul, in the second reading can make as an exhortation to all, “Beloved: Bear your share of hardship for the gospel with the strength that comes from God.” Do not fear to suffer. Fear rather, to miss the opportunity to be transformed from your previous being into a new one.
The gospel has a greater message on transformation. It is about the Transfiguration of Christ on the Tabor. We learn here that what matters the most is not the bodily transformation, but the spiritual. Matthew narrates the story of the Lord’s transfiguration before three of his disciples. We are told that we too can experience such a great event of transformation or transfiguration if we take time to “listen” to the Father’s voice.
At the center of the scene of the transfiguration are two elements, the voice which is heard and the revelation of the Lord’s Passion. The voice introduces Jesus. Another Epiphany with a recommendation, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” And then the second element, what Moses and Eli discuss with the Lord, his sufferings and death.
About the transfiguration of Christ and our transfiguration, the Catechism has a beautiful article. It states, “On the threshold of the public life: the baptism; on the threshold of the Passover: the Transfiguration. Jesus' baptism proclaimed "the mystery of the first regeneration", namely, our Baptism; the Transfiguration "is the sacrament of the second regeneration": our own Resurrection. From now on we share in the Lord's Resurrection through the Spirit who acts in the sacraments of the Body of Christ. the Transfiguration gives us a foretaste of Christ's glorious coming, when he "will change our lowly body to be like his glorious body." But it also recalls that "it is through many persecutions that we must enter the kingdom of God"” CCC. 556.
From today's liturgy, we have a special invitation not to be afraid to listen to the Lord who calls us on a journey of transformation. This time of Lent is a great opportunity for us to shine, to transform ourselves. However, just as the egg cannot become a chick without suffering, nor will we become true disciples without the experience of the Cross. The transfiguration of Christ heralds his passion, death, and resurrection. Our own transfiguration will also follow the same pattern. The cross stands like the highway or the bridge to glorification.

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