Homily for the Week of February 24, 2013

Second Sunday of Lent, 2013 year C Gen 15:5-18 Ps 27:1-13 Phil 3:17-4:1 Lk 9:28-36 Most of us can remember a childhood fear of darkness. At night we could no longer recognize the familiar scenes of daylight: people, places, sounds, smells. Even the comforting hand of a protecting mother was not quite enough to ease our anxiety. But then in the morning it all looked so different. The day dawned and took the darkness away and with it our worry, at least for the time being. Yet, some people are still afraid of the dark. As we begin the second week of Lent we might also use the ideaof light and darkness as a reflection on our spiritual life. Lent then becomes of time of penance and conversion. Lent is not meant to bog us down or depress us; it is a time to learn and to be encouraged to move forwar on the way to becoming a true follower of Jesus. We all have moments in which we want to conquer the unknown. Every time we play a game we play to win. We might buy lottery tickets, we hope we will win; we buy chances at raffles and various events with the hope that we will win. We play monopoly or cards or chess or computer games or sports to win. None of us start out wanting to be losers, and if we do, then we need some special attention. Salvation, however is different. We can’t win at salvation because we are already saved. God saved us once and for all. At times we call it God’s grace; at other times God’s gift. All of us have heard that God desires us to be with him. He has always done that. But to be saved we need to be transformed into the image and likeness of God which we received at Baptism. Our Gospel today is known as the Transfiguration of Jesus. Jesus takes Peter with James and John to a mountain to pray. In the Old Testament mountains were considered as holy places where people get a glimpse of God. Moses received the Ten Commandmeents from God on Mount Sinai. But on the mountain unusual things take place. The face of Jesus changes and his clothes become dazzling white. Suddenly Moses and Elijah were talking with him. Thousands of years before Moses had led the people to safety in a forty-year march to the Promised Land, a place that God had promised the Jews who obeyed him. Jesus saw the cross to which he would be nailed, and he prayed that God would change his mind. With Jesus on the mountain are a few of Jesus closest friends. Their reaction to this display is very human. They first show no interest. They fall asleep. But after they wake up they try to get some control over the situation by building tabernacles in an attempt to box in the experience. God tells them that it is better for them to listen to Jesus than to build buildings in his name. Most of us from time to time have intense moments of religious experience. Parents see a happy look on a joyful child's face. Maybe it's how they light up when special friends arrive, or maybe the look of delight at a special gift or surprise. Other examples are the placing of an engagement ring on the hand of a future bride; or when the mother sees her new-born child; or at the Baptism of a child. These are all transfiguration events. Unsure how to make sense of them and feeling others will not understand, most people do not divulge these moments to anyone. Yet such moments change significantly the way we live. The invitation that Jesus gives us today is to be transformed: to be changed. It is also the invitation of Lent. As you finish the first week of Lent, take an inventory of your Lenten life: How much time have you taken for quiet, personal prayer; have you opened yourself up to God and Jesus and discussed with him your most important concerns; have you desired a change of heart? Lent is a reminder for you to pray. Lent also may remind you of how sloppy your prayer can be. The apostles were caught sleeping. How many times do you say you should pray more, but never do it. Can you honestly say to the Lord: Lord, how good it is to be here? Lord how good it is for us to see visions of what Jesus can do for me, or am I caught up in fixing meals, lunches, meetings, classes and car pools, doing laundry and school schedules and meeting deadlines, waiting for a job to come. Each of us carry memories of events in our life that have changed us. Today and this week share places where you have seen change, perhaps in your family and home, school, work place, neighborhood or community. Suggest ways that these changes are transforming for you and others. Yes, today and always, we can go up the mountain with Jesus and be transformed. But, first of all, we must express clearly what in our spiritual life needs to be transformed, and then be willing to go up the mountain, to ask Jesus to help us. Let us take that first step with Jesus today.