2nd Sunday Lent, Year C: Be Still and Be Transformed
Dear brothers and sisters: Witnessing the Transfiguration of the Lord, Peter says, “Master, it is good that we are here” (Lk 9:33). Who would not wish to participate in the foretaste of heaven presented in today’s Gospel passage? I would love to partake in that foretaste … not once … not twice … but always.
Peter, James, and John partake of the Transfiguration as a gift. It is none of their making. However, it is a gift to be found. Peter, James, and John are not merely passive. They act. It takes them going to the mountaintop, away from the normalcy of every day, the distractions, and into the stillness where we can intentionally find God. How often do you do this? How often can you do this?
St. Luke points out that the Transfiguration took place “when he (Jesus) was praying.” Prayer is a privileged context of our experience of Transfiguration. The stillness of prayer in which Peter, James, and John participate is not passive, but active. It requires us to be reverently attentive to God – to wake from slumber, to still our hearts, and our minds, to focus our eyes and ears so that we may encounter God and be transformed.
Getting there is a climb – meaning it takes some effort. What that effort may look like could be different for each of us, but in any case, we will need to be obedient, surrender, and fast. What kind of fast is it going to be for you? Is it fasting from the radio, TV, phone, computer, etc. from time to time to open yourself to the Spirit and be with God?
In the monastic tradition of the desert fathers, there is a four-fold understanding and encouragement to silence that can be an examen of our life during the second week of Lent as potential partakers in the Transfiguration.
1 - The silence of the ears to listen to God’s voice. What does this look like in your life?
2- The silence of the eyes to direct one’s gaze towards God. What does that look like in your life?
3- The silence of the tongue to avoid idle and harmful talk. What does that look like in your life?
4- And the silence of the heart to come to God honestly with interior quiet and continual prayer. What does that look like in your life?
On Mount Tabor, the Lord enlightens Peter, James, and John with the bright glory of his presence. He will do the same for us when we seek him with Peter, with James, with John, as we ascend the mountaintop in prayer, silence, and love. May it be so! Amen