Luke 9:28B-36
Jesus took Peter, John, and James
and went up the mountain to pray.
While he was praying his face changed in appearance
and his clothing became dazzling white.
And behold, two men were conversing with him, Moses and Elijah,
who appeared in glory and spoke of his exodus
that he was going to accomplish in Jerusalem.
Peter and his companions had been overcome by sleep,
but becoming fully awake,
they saw his glory and the two men standing with him.
As they were about to part from him, Peter said to Jesus,
“Master, it is good that we are here;
let us make three tents,
one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
But he did not know what he was saying.
While he was still speaking,
a cloud came and cast a shadow over them,
and they became frightened when they entered the cloud.
Then from the cloud came a voice that said,
“This is my chosen Son; listen to him.”
After the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone.
They fell silent and did not at that time
tell anyone what they had seen.
Let us remember we are in the holy presence of God…
Reflection by Mr. Benjamin Peters
Promise. Transformation. Fulfillment.
We are pilgrims during Lent, pilgrims seeking after God. This 2nd Sunday the apostles have a short glimpse of Him in his glory during the Transfiguration. To see, as the apostles saw, theologians, philosophers, and teachers have refined many avenues of thought, yet by looking at this singular moment from the gospels through the perspective of relationship a pilgrim may come closest to Him.
The Church helps us to begin our pilgrimage by looking back at the First Reading in Genesis. God makes his famous promise with Abraham and to show his commitment he asks Abraham to slaughter animals to demonstrate the penalty delivered if their covenant was broken. We know that Abraham and his descendents will fail to keep their relationship, but they continuously returned to God seeking his love and their own transformation.
Our pilgrimage continues in the Second Reading as the Church tells of the promise-bearer’s transformation and repentance–their return to the promised relationship with God–through St. Paul’s admonishment to be like Christ. By being imitators of Christ we turn away from the sin that separates us from Him and we find the fulfillment of His joy and the fullness of His love. This leads us to our final reading: the Gospel.
Satisfaction of the promise is impossible for Abraham and his descendents, but like Luke tells us in the story of the Transfiguration–we are not hopeless. Luke helps us to understand that God satisfies it on our behalf. Jesus, next to these important figures of the Old Testament, shows us the depth of God’s love. Only God Himself, when He becomes human, can complete the covenant he first made with Abraham. He does not excuse the pilgrim from their journey, but allows them to complete their journey, find one example of God’s infinite love, and provide hope in the midst of sacrifice.
During this season of Lenten pilgrimage ask yourself the following questions:
- What promises have you made with God?
- How do you expect to fulfill those promises, and when you fail–because we all will at some point–where do you find God’s help?
- Finally, as we continue our journey to Easter, how can you grow in relationship with God?
Saint John Baptist de La Salle…pray for us!
Live Jesus in our hearts…forever!
Mr. Peters is a first year Lasallian Volunteer serving at San Miguel School, Washington, DC. He has a number of roles at San Miguel including: 6th-8th grade Humanities teacher, 7th grade Miguel and study hall; 6-8th grade independent reading; after-school academic assistance, and Graduate Assistant.