The Second Sunday of Lent centers on the Gospel account of the Transfiguration of Jesus, revealing His divine glory and foreshadowing His Paschal Mystery, thereby strengthening believers for their Lenten journey towards Easter.
The Second Sunday of Lent is a pivotal point in the liturgical calendar, featuring the Gospel reading of the Transfiguration of Jesus on Mount Tabor, where His divinity was revealed to Peter, James, and John, accompanied by Moses and Elijah. This event serves as a profound source of spiritual strength and encouragement for the faithful during their penitential Lenten journey, offering a glimpse of the glory of Christ's Resurrection and the ultimate promise of salvation. In salvation history, the Transfiguration foreshadows the Paschal Mystery by confirming Jesus' divine Sonship, demonstrating the continuity between the Old and New Covenants, and providing a powerful anticipation of the heavenly kingdom, thus inspiring perseverance in prayer, fasting, and almsgiving as believers prepare to celebrate Easter.
The Second Sunday of Lent holds a profound and unique position within the liturgical calendar, often referred to as the "Sunday of the Transfiguration." This designation stems directly from the Gospel reading appointed for this day, which recounts the miraculous event of Jesus' Transfiguration on Mount Tabor. For 2025, being Year B in the liturgical cycle, the Gospel of Mark (Mark 9:2-10) is proclaimed, vividly describing Christ's radiant glory. This pivotal event, witnessed by Peter, James, and John, serves as a beacon of hope and a foretaste of the Resurrection, strategically placed in the penitential season of Lent to strengthen the faithful for the spiritual journey ahead towards Easter. It is a moment where the veil between heaven and earth is momentarily lifted, revealing the divine nature of the Son of God, and providing a powerful confirmation of His identity and mission. The message imparted is one of divine affirmation and a call to profound listening, encapsulated in the Father's command: “This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.”
The biblical account of the Transfiguration is a dramatic and awe-inspiring narrative. Jesus takes Peter, James, and John—His inner circle—up a high mountain, traditionally identified as Mount Tabor. While there, His appearance is suddenly transformed: "His clothes became dazzling white, such as no fuller on earth could bleach them" (Mark 9:3). Moses and Elijah, representing the Law and the Prophets of the Old Testament, appear and converse with Jesus, signifying the fulfillment of the entire Old Covenant in Christ. A cloud, a traditional biblical symbol of God's presence, overshadows them, and from it, the voice of God the Father declares, "This is my beloved Son. Listen to him." This echoes the voice at Jesus' baptism, but here it is heard by the apostles, serving as an explicit divine endorsement of Jesus' messianic identity and authority. The disciples are overwhelmed, falling prostrate in fear, only to be comforted by Jesus, who instructs them not to speak of what they have seen until after the Son of Man has risen from the dead.
The placement of the Transfiguration Gospel on the Second Sunday of Lent has deep historical roots within the Roman Rite. While the Feast of the Transfiguration itself is celebrated on August 6, its inclusion during Lent dates back centuries, reflecting the Church's ancient practice of preparing catechumens and penitents for the Paschal mysteries. In the early Church, Lent was a period of intense spiritual preparation for those seeking baptism at the Easter Vigil, as well as for public penitents seeking reconciliation. The Transfiguration provided a crucial theological foundation for this preparation. It offered a glimpse of the glorified Christ, providing hope and a clear vision of the ultimate goal of Christian life – participation in Christ's resurrection. It served to fortify those undergoing rigorous spiritual discipline, reminding them of the divine glory that awaits those who faithfully follow Christ through suffering and death.
The theological meaning of the Transfiguration within Lent is multi-faceted and profoundly significant. It is primarily understood as a prefigurement of Christ's Resurrection. By revealing His glory before His Passion, Jesus prepares His disciples for the scandal of the cross. They, and by extension, all believers, are given a vision of His divine majesty, which helps them to comprehend that His suffering and death are not a sign of defeat but a necessary path to ultimate triumph and glory. The presence of Moses and Elijah underscores that Jesus is the fulfillment of God's entire redemptive plan, connecting the Old Covenant's prophecies and laws with the New Covenant inaugurated by Christ. The command, "Listen to him," is a directive for all time, urging believers to heed Christ's teachings, especially as they prepare to commemorate His saving Passion and Resurrection.
For the faithful navigating the penitential season of Lent, the Transfiguration offers immense spiritual encouragement and guidance. Lent is a time of spiritual combat, marked by prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, which can be challenging. The dazzling light of the Transfiguration serves as a powerful reminder of the ultimate joy and glory that await those who persevere in faith and repentance. It shifts the focus from merely enduring Lenten sacrifices to embracing them as a means to a greater end: a deeper communion with the glorified Christ. It invites us to look beyond the temporary hardships of self-denial and to fix our gaze on the eternal splendor of God's kingdom, motivating us to listen more intently to Christ's voice and follow His path of self-giving love, knowing that it leads to life.
In the broader context of salvation history, the Transfiguration is a pivotal moment that bridges the Old and New Testaments and illuminates the entire Paschal Mystery. It confirms Jesus' identity as the Son of God, not just a prophet or wise teacher, but the Messiah spoken of by Moses and Elijah. It reveals the unity of God's plan across the ages and foreshadows the glory of the Church, which is the Body of Christ. As we journey through Lent, this feast provides a crucial theological anchor, reminding us that suffering and death are not the end, but a passage to new life in Christ. It calls us to a deeper conversion, to allow the light of Christ to transform us, and to walk steadfastly towards the joy of Easter, confident in the promise of resurrection and eternal glory. The Transfiguration thus stands as a luminous reminder of our ultimate hope and the divine power that underpins our faith journey.
Imagine, if you will, a moment of profound revelation, high upon a secluded mountain, far from the clamor of the crowds. Jesus, knowing the path of suffering that lay before Him, chose three of His closest disciples—Peter, James, and John—to bear witness to a glory beyond their wildest dreams. They ascended the rugged slopes, perhaps weary from the climb, their minds still grappling with the recent, unsettling prophecy of their Master's impending Passion and death. The air grew thin, the silence profound, as they reached a solitary place.
Then, as they watched, something extraordinary happened. Jesus' appearance began to change, not subtly, but with an overwhelming, unearthly brilliance. His face shone like the sun, and His garments became dazzling white, whiter than any bleach could make them, radiating a light that seemed to emanate from within His very being. It was a glory that transcended earthly understanding, a momentary unveiling of His divine nature, a glimpse into the very heart of the Godhead.
Suddenly, two figures appeared alongside Him, figures of immense stature and ancient renown: Moses, the Lawgiver, who had spoken with God on Sinai and led Israel out of bondage; and Elijah, the fiery prophet, who had confronted kings and ascended to heaven in a whirlwind. They conversed with Jesus, speaking of His 'departure' (or 'exodus' in some translations) which He was about to accomplish in Jerusalem – a profound discussion linking His impending Passion and Resurrection to the entire history of salvation, fulfilling the Law and the Prophets.
Peter, ever impulsive, overcome by the awe and wonder of the moment, blurted out, “Lord, it is good that we are here! If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” He sought to capture and hold onto this transcendent moment, perhaps fearing its fleeting nature, or simply wanting to prolong the presence of such holiness. But his words were barely out before a bright cloud enveloped them, a cloud shimmering with divine presence, reminiscent of the Shekinah glory that accompanied God in the Old Testament.
And from the heart of that cloud, a voice, deep and resonant, a voice that thundered with divine authority, spoke directly to their trembling souls: “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” The disciples, utterly terrified, fell prostrate on the ground, overwhelmed by the sheer majesty of God's presence and voice. It was a direct, unmistakable affirmation from the Father, a divine endorsement of Jesus' identity and mission, and a clear command to heed His every word, especially those concerning His Passion and Resurrection.
When Jesus finally touched them, comforting them and bidding them to rise, the dazzling light had faded, Moses and Elijah were gone, and they saw only Jesus, standing before them as He had always been. As they descended the mountain, Jesus charged them not to speak of what they had seen until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead. This incredible experience, this luminous revelation, was meant to strengthen their faith, to prepare them for the dark days ahead, to anchor their understanding in the profound truth of who Jesus truly was: not merely a prophet, but the beloved Son of God, whose glory would ultimately overcome death itself. It was a beacon of hope, shining brightly even amidst the shadows of Calvary, meant to sustain them, and indeed, all believers, through trials and tribulations, pointing always to the ultimate triumph of resurrection and eternal life.
1997-02-26
1. "This is my beloved Son. Listen to him" (Mk 9:7).
The words of the Father, spoken from the cloud on the Mount of the Transfiguration, reveal the deepest meaning of the event described in today's Gospel. The Transfiguration is a moment of light: the face of Christ shines like the sun and his garments become dazzling white; Moses and Elijah appear in glory and speak with him of his exodus, which he was to accomplish in Jerusalem; the three Apostles, Peter, James and John, are caught up in ecstasy and wish to prolong that moment of contemplation.
However, the divine voice which accompanies the Transfiguration sends the Apostles back to the task of the mission. "Listen to him": this is the command which comes from on high. Jesus himself is the Word, the definitive Word of God to humanity. The command to "listen to him" is addressed to the disciples of every age. It is addressed in a particular way to the disciples of our time, at the end of the second millennium. The Church prepares to cross the threshold of the third millennium of the Christian era, guided by Christ, the Alpha and the Omega, the Lord of history. She must listen to him with renewed commitment, with deeper understanding, with greater availability.
2. "Listen to him". The Transfiguration is presented to us in the first days of Lent precisely to show us the path which the Church must follow during this holy season. The Lord takes Peter, James and John with him and leads them up a high mountain. The mountain is the place of encounter with God. On the mountain, Moses received the Law, and Elijah heard the subtle voice of the Lord. The Transfiguration is a new Sinai: on the mountain, Jesus reveals himself as the definitive Lawgiver, as the authentic Word of God.
The event of the Transfiguration is situated in a precise context: it takes place after the first prediction of the Passion. Jesus has already begun to speak openly of his suffering and death. These words of his were not understood by the disciples, indeed, they even provoked Peter's reaction. The Transfiguration therefore has the purpose of confirming the disciples' faith in the face of the scandal of the Cross. It shows them that the path of suffering is the path to glory. The Resurrection is foreseen in the Transfiguration. The Cross is the summit of the revelation of God's love; it is the source of life and peace.
3. "Listen to him". The Transfiguration invites us to listen to Christ, the definitive Word of the Father. This listening is even more necessary for us, who are preparing to cross the threshold of the third millennium. Indeed, the Church, at the end of the second millennium, is called to live a new Advent, an Advent which is not only a preparation for the celebration of the birth of Christ, but also a preparation for his definitive coming at the end of time. This Advent must be characterized by a renewed listening to the Word of God. The Church must become again a "house of the Word", a house where the Word is proclaimed, heard, meditated upon, and lived.
This listening to the Word of God must be accompanied by conversion, by a change of heart, by a return to God. Lent is the privileged time for this conversion. It is a time of penance, of fasting, of almsgiving. But it is above all a time of grace, a time when God offers us his mercy and his forgiveness. Let us listen to him, let us open our hearts to him, let us allow ourselves to be transformed by his grace.
4. "Listen to him". The Transfiguration also invites us to listen to Christ in the concrete events of our daily lives. The Word of God is not an abstract word, but a living word, a word which speaks to us in our concrete situations, in our joys and sorrows, in our hopes and fears. Let us listen to him in the silence of prayer, in the reading of Sacred Scripture, in the celebration of the sacraments, especially the Eucharist. Let us listen to him in the voice of our conscience, in the events of history, in the signs of the times.
Listening to Christ means following him, imitating him, living according to his teachings. It means taking up our cross daily and following him on the path of suffering, which is the path to glory. It means living in communion with him and with our brothers and sisters, building up the Body of Christ, which is the Church.
5. "Listen to him". This is the command which comes from on high, from the cloud which overshadowed the disciples on Mount Tabor. It is a command which is addressed to each one of us. It is a command which is particularly urgent in our time, a time of great challenges and opportunities, a time when the Church is called to proclaim the Gospel with renewed vigor and enthusiasm.
Let us listen to Christ, the beloved Son of the Father, the Word made flesh, the Lord of history. Let us allow ourselves to be guided by him, by his Word, by his Spirit. Let us open our hearts to him, let us welcome him into our lives, let us follow him with courage and generosity. Only in this way will we be able to cross the threshold of the third millennium with hope and confidence, and to build a civilization of love and peace.
May the Blessed Virgin Mary, who listened to the Word of God and kept it in her heart, help us to be docile to the voice of her Son, so that we may always follow him on the path of truth and life. Amen.