LET US GO WITH JESUS TO THE HIGH MOUNTAIN

II SUNDAY OF LENT - Matthew 17:1-9

In this second Sunday of Lent, we are called to contemplate the Lord Jesus who reveals himself in all glory and majesty. Jesus had already informed his disciples of his impending passion and death and the disciples had reacted with apprehension and disbelief. The outspoken Peter had even reproached Jesus and affirmed with all certainty: “This shall never happen to you.”. Jesus used harsh words to reprehend him: “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me.” (Mt 16:22-23). After this incident, Jesus went on insisting on the theme of the cross, not only for himself but for his disciples as well: “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” (Mt 16:24). At the end of all this talk, we may be left with the impression that Jesus was intent on discouraging his followers, making it very difficult to be his disciples. They were puzzled and could not understand the path that Jesus was determined to follow. Certainly, Jesus was well aware of that and he decided to proportionate Peter, James and John a very deep and personal experience, for them to realise that the cross was the way to glory and the death the gate to life. Jesus took them to a high mountain, for them to be in touch with the transcendent and the divine. And there “he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light.” It was as if Jesus allowed them to see through his humanity and contemplate the glory of his divinity.

During this Lent season, we must accompany those three disciples and climb the mountain, leaving behind our daily worries and allowing ourselves to be touched by God, so that we may contemplate Jesus, the beloved Son. This is not an everyday experience, but Lent is a special gift, which we receive from the Lord and, during this time, we get closer to him, so that we may be transformed by him. In Jesus’ manner, we will be transfigured as well and God will address us the words that he said to Jesus: “This is my beloved Son!”. In Jesus, we become God’s children, in such a way that our bodies will be transformed to become “like his glorious body” (Phil 3:21).

In Jesus, God “has saved us and called us to be holy – not because of anything we have done but for his purpose and by his grace.” (2 Tim 1:9).