One charged with preaching Christ must ask: Is the interpretation I offer in the pulpit both true to Christ and the best that I can do? Or, am I simply repeating what I have said in other years when these Mass readings have been appointed to be read? Am I falling back on thoughts that occurred to me years ago? Have I ceased reading the Gospels and the Scriptures with a searching, open mind? Have I perhaps grown spiritually lazy, and just repeat the old, stale thoughts of yesteryear? More broadly: Do I really pray, or am I going through the motions? And you, are you listening?
Today’s story of the Transfiguration of Jesus is a case in point. Typically I emphasize that by having the faithful hear the story of the Transfiguration on the Second Sunday of each Lent, the Church is displaying to the eyes of faith our spiritual goal. One must know the goal as one sets out on a journey, or one may wander in the wilderness indefinitely. Through seeing Christ transfigured, we are glimpsing what we shall be. As disciples of Christ, our goal is not vague or unknown, but displayed to our minds: To become filled with divine Presence, as Christ was seen to be by his three disciples who witnessed the Transfiguration. We must “keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith” to persevere in the journey, and win through to the prize that God has in store for each of us: complete and eternal union with God in Christ. This divine-human union is what we call “eternal life.” That is the typical interpretation I offer on the Second Sunday of Lent.
Surely one could say more about the Transfiguration--such as the fact that Christ eclipses both the Law (symbolized by Moses) and the prophets (embodied in Elijah). God’s plan of rescuing humanity from its self-destructive, evil impulses culminates in the gift of Christ to humankind, so that all of us may reach the goal of life in God.
What are we missing when we follow this interpretation? Consider the context: Jesus is transfigured immediately following his prediction of his Passion and his call for disciples to die to themselves to find true life. Is our attention not being drawn to the pre-condition for our transfiguring union with God: namely, self-sacrifice, our willingness to embrace the crosses God gives us in our life, and to give ourselves back to God in the daily decisions we make? Is this the main point the Church wants to present to our minds? That without dying to ourselves, you and I “will not see the Kingdom of God”? Unless we imitate Christ and truly and fully give ourselves back to God---even embracing death--we will not see our journey’s true end.
Today’s story of the Transfiguration of Jesus is a case in point. Typically I emphasize that by having the faithful hear the story of the Transfiguration on the Second Sunday of each Lent, the Church is displaying to the eyes of faith our spiritual goal. One must know the goal as one sets out on a journey, or one may wander in the wilderness indefinitely. Through seeing Christ transfigured, we are glimpsing what we shall be. As disciples of Christ, our goal is not vague or unknown, but displayed to our minds: To become filled with divine Presence, as Christ was seen to be by his three disciples who witnessed the Transfiguration. We must “keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith” to persevere in the journey, and win through to the prize that God has in store for each of us: complete and eternal union with God in Christ. This divine-human union is what we call “eternal life.” That is the typical interpretation I offer on the Second Sunday of Lent.
Surely one could say more about the Transfiguration--such as the fact that Christ eclipses both the Law (symbolized by Moses) and the prophets (embodied in Elijah). God’s plan of rescuing humanity from its self-destructive, evil impulses culminates in the gift of Christ to humankind, so that all of us may reach the goal of life in God.
What are we missing when we follow this interpretation? Consider the context: Jesus is transfigured immediately following his prediction of his Passion and his call for disciples to die to themselves to find true life. Is our attention not being drawn to the pre-condition for our transfiguring union with God: namely, self-sacrifice, our willingness to embrace the crosses God gives us in our life, and to give ourselves back to God in the daily decisions we make? Is this the main point the Church wants to present to our minds? That without dying to ourselves, you and I “will not see the Kingdom of God”? Unless we imitate Christ and truly and fully give ourselves back to God---even embracing death--we will not see our journey’s true end.
