Second Sunday of Lent (A)

March 8, 2020

Readings:

First Reading: Genesis 12: 1-4a

Psalm 33 “Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.”

Second Reading: 2 Timothy 1: 8b-10

Gospel reading according to Matthew 17: 1-9

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Homily: The Transfiguration of Jesus

By this time Jesus was very popular, though he had many callings (names) and many sayings about who he was.  Some said he was John the Baptist who raised from the dead, others Elijah, and still others said one of the prophets of old.  And there were still many other names that called or given to him.  When the time came to reveal himself who he really was, he brought with him some of his chosen disciples in the mountain top were no one can see them.   Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves (Matthew 17: 1).  He brought with him Peter, James and his brother John on the top of a high mountain, most probably Mount Tabor, according to the tradition.

When they reached the top of the mountain, suddenly and instantaneously Jesus changed in appearance.  And he was transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light (Matthew 17: 2).  He transfigured in front of them.  As St. Matthew described his appearance – Jesus face was shining and glowing like the day light sun in its brilliant high noon.  It makes one blind by its to brilliance; and his clothes was so shining white as no other bleaches can whiten any clothes.    

At this moment of transfiguration immediately Moses the Lawgiver and Elijah the great prophet of old appeared.  And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, conversing with him (Matthew 17: 3).  They were talking to Jesus about the forthcoming passion, suffering, death in Jerusalem, and at the same time his resurrection.  They were confirming to Jesus the long plan of God for him since the foundation of the world and the salvation of all men and women from their sins due to his self-sacrifice and offering in the Cross in Calvary. 

Though Peter was witnessing everything that was happening but he did not understand what was going on.  He pretended that he knew what they were conversing, so he joined the dialogue with his human knowledge and capacity.  He used the human plan of escapism rather than doing the will of God.  Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, 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 (Matthew 17: 4).  He did not know what he was talking about.  Peter wanted that they remained on the top of the mountain rather than to go down and mixed with the ordinary, simple, poor, and marginalized people. He proposed to pitch tents where Jesus, Moses and Elijah stay, for he did not know what he was saying.

Peter continued talking when suddenly a thick bright clouds covered the whole area where they were.  While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud cast a shadow over them, then from the cloud came a voice that said, ‵This is my beloved Son, with whom I am pleased; listen to him′ (Matthew 17: 5).  And the voice of God the Father was heard.  As in the time of Moses when he was on the mountain of Sinai, and of Elijah when he was in the cave of Carmel, the God of Host appeared and spoke to them.  The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ reaffirmed in recognizing Jesus in what He said after his baptism, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am pleased; listen to him.”  God proved his promised that he will send his Son for the salvation of human beings from their sins to be fulfilled in Jerusalem.

The disciples bent down and worshipped Jesus after hearing what the Lord God said about him. When the disciples heard this, they fell prostrate and were very much afraid (Matthew 17: 6).  They also covered their heads by facing on the earth, to show their respect, reverence and of fear of the Lord (meaning their faith and belief in the power of God).  They were afraid in the sense the saw God and they thought that they might die for seeing Him face to face.

They remained in that position until they were touched by Jesus.   But Jesus came and touched them, saying, ′Rise, and do not be afraid‵ (Matthew 17: 7).  They realized that they were still alive.  And when the disciples raised their eyes, they saw no one else but Jesus alone (Matthew 17: 8).  But, except Jesus, they did not see any longer Moses and Elijah in their presence.  They were gone when the thick bright light disappeared. 

After that incident on the top of Mount Tabor, Jesus told his disciples that the must go down to see and serve the anawim of God with strong instruction.  As they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, Do not tell the vision to anyone until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead (Matthew 17: 9).  Nobody should know or that they tell no one what really happened on the top of the mountain until everything is fulfilled to the last detail, that is when the Son of God and of Man was raised from the dead.