THIS IS MY SON, THE BELOVED. LISTEN TO HIM

 II LENT SUNDAY - Matthew 17:1-9

During Lent season, we are called upon to recognise our sin, to repent and to convert. It is a special time for prayer, fasting and almsgiving. We must humble ourselves before God, making an effort to walk in the footsteps of Jesus.

After his baptism, while staying in the desert to emulate the people’s experience of forty years wandering, Jesus chose for himself the role of the Servant of Yahweh, according to Is 53. He rejected power and wealth as the means to establish the Kingdom of God, and he put all his trust in the Father, staying away from any attempt to use magic and witchcraft to have a following and gain influence. He came to serve, and so he would never use his power and his position for his own profit. The way of life that he chose would lead him into conflict with the religious and political authorities. And he spoke to his disciples about his arrest, his condemnation and his execution. They could not understand, because for them as for the people of Israel, a suffering Messiah was unthinkable, making the fulfilment of their expectations impossible. When Jesus spoke to them about his death, they were puzzled and lost; and ignoring the prediction, they discussed among themselves who would be the greatest among them. 

In an effort to reassure the disciples, Jesus chose a core group of three - Peter, James and his brother John - to have a special spiritual experience, when he transfigured himself before them, manifesting his glory. 

In the manner of the Old Testament, when God called Moses to the mountain and when the cloud of God’s glory covered the mountain (Ex 24:15), Jesus took the three disciples to a high mountain. Then, in their presence, “his face shone like the sun and his clothes became as white as the light.” Still surprised with this vision, they saw Moses and Elijah joining Jesus and talking to him. Overwhelmed with the glory of Jesus, Peter experienced such delight that he would like it to go on and, forgetting about himself and his friends, he was ready to be at the service of Jesus: “Lord,’ he said ‘it is wonderful for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” 

Moses and Elijah represent the Law and the Prophets, which Jesus came to fulfil (Mt 5:17), and which speak about him (Jn 1:45). Indeed, the whole of the Old Testament leads to Jesus and receives its full meaning from Jesus. At the same time, the Old Testament helps us to understand and to interpret the messianic role of Jesus.

While Peter was speaking, “a bright cloud covered them with shadow, and from the cloud there came a voice which said, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved; he enjoys my favour. Listen to him.” (Mt 17:1-9). In the Old Testament, the cloud and the shadow represent the presence of the glory of God. We may say that, through Jesus, the three disciples had an experience of heaven and that experience was so fulfilling that they did not need anything else.

However, the experience was a short one, and they were called back to reality, the daily life in which we live and where we have to make our choices in order to become true disciples of Jesus Christ. If we open our hearts to the Spirit of the Lord, he may call us to the mountain and grant us special moments of intimacy, in which we are overwhelmed by God’s love and presence. Such experiences are a gift from God and they prepare those who receive them to walk closer with Jesus.

In the climax of the transfiguration, we hear God’s voice, proclaiming Jesus as the Son, the beloved, and giving one command: Listen to him. This is the command given to all of us, who have chosen to be disciples of Jesus Christ. Jesus is the Word, and this Word is the source of life. And Jesus would say to his disciples:

“If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” (Jn  8:31-32).

Let us have a listening heart, so that the Word may mould us and shape us so that we reveal the face of Christ. When we allow ourselves to be questioned and challenged by the Word, we are ready for conversion and for walking along the path travelled by Jesus. With him, we will climb the mountain of the Lord, and he will give peace and rest to our hearts.