This weekend is the Second Sunday of Lent, which focuses on the Transfiguration of Our Lord. One of the Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary, Jesus prepares for His Passion, Death, and Resurrection with the Transfiguration. He brings Peter, James, and John to the top of a mountain when His face shines like the Sun, his clothes become dazzlingly white, and two Old Testament figures appear – Moses and Elijah. Peter is shocked and suggests to build three tents for them but before he can finish, a voice announces, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased. Listen to him.” A cloud appears and covers them, reminding us of how God’s Presence on Earth was indicated by a cloud in the Old Testament. When the Chosen People were in the desert, God’s pillar of cloud guided them from the Tabernacle. Furthermore, the setting of the Transfiguration on top of a mountain reminds us of Moses’ face shining after he meets God on Mount Sinai. Jesus’ Transfiguration shows us that He succeeds the old law represented by Moses and the old prophets represented by Elijah. Jesus showed His glory to the Apostles before His Passion to teach them that suffering is temporary, but those who suffer for God will be rewarded with glory, and that glory will never end.
【Spiritual Talk】The Second Sunday of Lent – Fr. Anthony Ho
