Each year on the Second Sunday of Lent, the Church presents us with the mystery of the Transfiguration of Jesus. On the mountain, his face shines and his clothes become dazzlingly white. Like the story of Jesus’ baptism, the Transfiguration is an epiphany, that is, a revelation of who Jesus truly is. In both moments, a voice is heard from heaven declaring his identity.
The setting is important. In Scripture, the mountain is a place of encounter with God. The cloud is a sign of God’s presence. And the appearance of Moses and Elijah represents the Law and the Prophets. Everything points to one truth: Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s promises. We may wonder what exactly happened on that mountain. Was it a vision? A mystical experience? The Gospel does not give us all the details. But what matters most is its meaning. The Transfiguration was not first for the apostles; it was for Jesus himself. He was on his way to Jerusalem, on the path that would lead to suffering and the cross. This moment of glory confirmed him in his mission. It was a glimpse of the resurrection before the passion, a reminder that suffering would not have the final word.
At the same time, this experience was a gift for the apostles. In the radiant face of Christ, they saw a preview of the risen Lord. Yet they did not fully understand it. Only after the resurrection would they grasp its meaning. Like them, we often struggle to understand God’s ways in the moment. Faith grows slowly, through experience and trust.
The first reading presents the faith of Abraham. God calls him to leave everything and trust in a promise he cannot yet see. Abraham obeys, and through that obedience, blessing comes to many. His journey points forward to the perfect obedience of Jesus, whose faithfulness will bring salvation to the whole world. Lent invites us to walk this same path of faith. Like Abraham, we are called to trust. Like the apostles, we are invited to listen. In the Gospel, the voice from the cloud says, “This is my beloved Son… Listen to him.” That is the heart of Lent: learning again to listen to Christ. We all have moments of “mountain experience”; times of prayer, peace, or clarity when God feels close. But we cannot remain on the mountain. Like the disciples, we must come down and continue the journey, carrying that light into our daily lives. The purpose of the mountain is not escape, but strength for the road ahead.
As we continue our Lenten journey, the Transfiguration reminds us that glory lies beyond the cross. When life feels heavy, when faith is tested, we remember that Christ has already gone before us. Let us listen to him, trust him, and follow him, knowing that if we walk with him through the cross, we will also share in his glory. Amen
Scripture Readings:
Gen 12:1-4 • Ps 33:4–5, 18–19, 20, 22 • 2 Tim 1:8b–10 • Mt 17:1–9