Second Sunday of Lent (B)

February 25, 2018

Readings:

First Reading – Genesis 22: 1-2, 9a, 10-13, 15-18

Psalm 116

Second Reading – Romans 8: 31b-34

Gospel reading according to Mark (9: 2-10)

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Homily: 

Jesus usually goes to silence alone in the mountains, hills, knolls, forest, desert, etc. to pray to God his Father when he is facing difficulties in life and in making big decisions.  He does not bring with him a companion or disciple when he prays in the hidden places in the middle of the night.  But, in this time of greatest moment in his life, Jesus has brought with him three chosen and trusted disciples who can keep his secret. He brought with him three of the first disciples/apostles to accompany him in praying and in encountering God on the top of the mountain called Mount Tabor, as the tradition says.  There was something in Jesus that he cannot tell immediately to his companions.  There was a moment of surprise coming from Jesus who is installed and fitted to these three disciples. “Jesus took Peter, James, and John and led them up a high mountain apart by themselves” (Mark 9: 2).  The names of the companions of Jesus who were with him on the top of the mountain were Peter, James and his brother John.  These are the first disciples whom Jesus called to follow him and to become fishers of men and women.  These three disciples were unique and have their own distinct characteristics, like for example Peter.  He was aggressive yet kind and loving.  He was “padalus-dalos” or quick in making decision without thinking many times.  John was a little bit quiet but sure in his decision and in making any actions, while James was serious and good leader as well. He consulted his actions to the community.  These and many reasons why Jesus has chosen these three men to accompany him in the mountain.  “And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no fuller on earth could bleach them” (Mark 9: 2-3).  Jesus showed and revealed to his chosen disciples his transfiguration.  Who really Jesus was?  The disciples became his witnesses who he was, is and will become.  He changed his appearance in front of these three disciples.  A shining and dazzling white light came from within Jesus.  As in the resurrection, Jesus passed through the cloths that wrapped him, the same with the dazzling light that came out from within.

“Then Elijah appeared to them along with Moses, and they were conversing with Jesus” (Mark 9: 4).  Not only Jesus was present there in the mountain.  Elijah and Moses were there.  Elijah, representing all the prophets; Prophets are persons who speak for God or a god, or are persons who tell what will happen in the future.  The Old Testament, the two greatest prophets who were the voices of the Lord God to the people Israelites, who foretold the coming of the Messiah (Kristus) met the New Testament Messiah, the Son of God and the fulfillment of their prophecy - Jesus Christ our Savior.  In the Book of Malachi prophesies Elijah's return “before the coming of the great and terrible day of the Lord,” making him a forerunner of the Messiah and of the eschaton in various faiths that revere the Hebrew Bible (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elijah). Meanwhile, Moses the Lawgiver, according to the Hebrew Bible, he was adopted by an Egyptian princess, and later in life became the leader of the Israelites and lawgiver, to whom the authorship of the Torah, or acquisition of the Torah from Heaven is traditionally attributed. He is the most important prophet in Judaism (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moses#cite_note-5).  “For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ” (John 1: 17).  The two prophets were discussing with Jesus his forthcoming passion, death and resurrection in Jerusalem.  Peter interrupted the conversation of Jesus, Moses and Elijah for he was surprised to see the transfiguration of Jesus and the simultaneous appearances of the two great men of old.  “Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, ‘Rabbi, it is good that we are here!  Let us make three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.’  He hardly knew what to say, they were so terrified” (Mark 9: 5-6).  Peter was struck awe, that’s why he was not able to speak for a few moments, much less with James and John.  Nevertheless, Peter experienced security and peace.  He wanted to stay on the top of the mountain, that’s why he said, “It is good to be (to live/stay) here.” “Hayahay dinhi.”  Peter and the rest of his companions experienced also heaven on earth.  No more worries, no more problems, no more sufferings but all fullness of joy, all of happiness, all of blissful life.

“Then a cloud came, casting shadow over them;” (Mark 9: 7).  Peter, who was excited with what’s going on yet still confused, was not able to finish what he was going to say to Jesus when suddenly a cloud came down and overshadowed them.  The area was totally covered with cloud, as if they were covered all around with smoke.  The more terrified Peter, James and John were; “then from cloud came a voice, ‘This is my beloved Son.  Listen to him’.” (Mark 9: 7).  The cloud represents the presence of God.  As what had happened after the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River by John the Baptist, “And coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him; and there came a voice from heaven, saying, ‘This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased’.” (Mark 1:10-11).  God revealed who Jesus was to the disciples and commanded them “to listen to him” intently and attentively. Jesus is the beloved Son of God the Father and Jesus as obedient Son does the will of his Father, the almighty God.  Now, the disciples knew who this Jesus was after the transfiguration and revelation of God himself, and confirmed by the two greatest prophets, Elijah and Moses. 

“Suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone but Jesus alone with them” (Mark 9: 8).  As if they were transported into another dimension, into another world and then coming back, or as if they were awaken from a very deep sleep and wonderful dreams.  They did not see any longer Elijah and Moses even the cloud that cast its shadow over them, except Jesus, their Master and Teacher alone whom from then on they will listen to and act on whatever he will tell them to do. Jesus was telling them to come down on the mountain and face the realities of life on the ground and not as planned by Peter to build tents/houses on the top of the mountain and stayed there, far from the people’s real life situations, where true belligerent (fighting) happens.  We should not stay long on the clouds on the top of the mountain but rather we have to go down and be grounded in the true realities of life, where actions too happen.  “As they were coming down from the mountain, he charged them not to relate what they had seen to anyone, except when the Son of Man had risen from the dead” (Mark 9: 9).  So, they kept their mouth closed, shut and secured.  Can we keep secret of others?  They did not tell to the other apostles/disciples about their discoveries on the mountain top as what Jesus told them.  He was not wrong when he chose these three men whom he trusted very well.  “So the disciples kept the matter to themselves, [but] questioning what rising from the dead meant” (Mark 9:: 10).