Transfiguration Brings Hope (2nd Sunday Lent C)

The event of the Transfiguration, where Jesus is revealed in His glory on the mountain, has so much to offer us as we journey through the season of Lent. It offers us hope in this year of the Jubilee.

We hear that Jesus went up the mountain to pray, and while He prayed, His face changed in appearance, and His clothes became dazzling white. Then, two great figures of the Old Testament, Moses and Elijah, appeared and spoke with Him. The disciples, Peter, James, and John, who were with Jesus, saw His glory. And then, a voice came from the cloud: “This is my chosen Son; listen to Him” (Lk 9:35).

This experience was not just a moment of glory, but it had a purpose. It came right after Jesus had spoken to His disciples about His coming passion and death. They were about to face a time of great confusion, fear, and uncertainty. So, what does Jesus do? He gives them a glimpse of His divine glory, a promise of what was to come—the glory of the Resurrection after the suffering of the Cross.

And isn't that exactly what we need, too? As we walk through Lent, a season where we are called to reflect on the suffering Christ endured for our sins, it's easy to become overwhelmed by the darkness of the world or even our own failures. The weight of our sins, our struggles, our personal suffering—it can feel heavy. But the Transfiguration, this shining moment of glory, reminds us that the darkness and destructiveness of sin do not have the last word. God's grace, His transformative love, and the hope of Easter have the final say.

We are, in a sense, invited to be pilgrims of hope during this season. Just as Peter, James, and John witnessed the glory of Jesus on the mountain, so we too are called to witness God's glory in our lives.

Three invitations in this Lenten season:

First, Trust in the Promise of Glory.  The Transfiguration is a reminder that suffering and death are not the end of the story. For the disciples, this moment on the mountain was like a foretaste of the joy that would come with Jesus' Resurrection. In the same way, as we journey through Lent and reflect on the suffering of Christ, we are reminded that God's glory will always shine brighter than the darkness of sin.

As we face our own struggles in life—whether physical, emotional, or spiritual—we are called to trust in God's ultimate promise. Yes, there will be moments of pain, moments where we feel lost or unsure, but we can hold onto the hope that the story doesn't end in despair. Christ's Resurrection is the ultimate victory, and we are invited to live in that hope.

Second, Listen More Closely to Christ. In the Gospel, God speaks directly to the disciples: "This is my chosen Son; listen to Him." (Luke 9:35). God doesn't just want us to see His glory; He wants us to listen to the words of Jesus, to the way He calls us to live, to the way He leads us into a deeper relationship with the Father.

This Lent, how can we listen more closely to Christ? It's easy to be distracted by the noise around us, by the demands of our daily lives. But God is inviting us into a deeper relationship. Are we making time each day to listen to His voice in Scripture? Are we opening our hearts to the wisdom He offers through prayer? In this season of Lent, let's commit to taking time to listen to Jesus, to hear what He wants to say to us.

Third, Be Witnesses of Hope to Others. The Transfiguration was not just for the disciples to experience in isolation. It was meant to be shared. Peter wanted to build three tents and stay on the mountain, but Jesus led them back down to continue the mission. The glory they witnessed was not for them alone; it was for the world.

Likewise, we are called to be witnesses of the hope we've received. Into the world filled with pain, fear, and confusion, we are called to carry the light of Christ, to be pilgrims of hope . This Lent, how can we share that hope with others? Perhaps through an act of kindness? A listening ear? or sharing the message of Christ's love through our Alay Kapwa?

We are called to let the glory we've experienced shine through our actions.

As we continue this Lenten journey, let us cling to the beautiful memory of the Transfiguration. In the midst of our suffering and our struggles, let's hold onto the hope of the glory of Christ. Let us listen more closely to Him, and let us share that hope with the world. For in Christ, the light of glory will always shine brighter than the darkness of sin. This is, indeed, hope.