​Second Week of Lent Reflection

Sr. Heather Jean Foltz, OSB

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Matthew 17: 1-9

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This Sunday, we hear in the Gospel of Matthew the story of the Transfiguration. What would it have been like to be present at the Transfiguration? What would we do? What would we say? Would we be frightened? Would we be curious? Would we be speechless? I am sure it would have remained imprinted in our minds and hearts. 

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In truth, we do experience transfigurations daily, if we have eyes to see them. One of my favorite ways to experience God is in the beauty of nature.  This past week, while on retreat, I was delighted to find unexpected snow covering the trees and grass. Nature transformed in the stillness of night.  Each day brings a new view of creation. These are all transfigurations. 

As we listen to the Gospel story, Jesus chooses three apostles to go with him up the high Mountain. Mountains are often mentioned in Scripture and usually involve being closer to God, experiencing the presence of God, or seeking a relationship with God. The apostles probably felt an excitement to have been chosen to be with Jesus alone. 

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When they reached the top, they had to be tired, when suddenly a bright light shone, and Jesus is changed. There are two people with Him: Moses and Elijah. How do they know who they are? Would I have recognized them? Moses was a prophet known for leading the people out of oppression. Elijah also was a prophet and was called by King Ahab ‘the troublemaker of Israel’. Jesus also is a prophet and is considered a troublemaker by the scribes and pharisees. Jesus chooses to appear with these two rather than with royalty such as King David. And finally, Moses and Elijah both had encountered God on a mountain. 

Peter wants to stay in this place, where it was dazzling, peaceful, and beautiful — but that is not the reality of life. After this powerful experience, they leave this place of peace and come back down the mountain, back to real life – the sick and crippled people and the noisy, dirty marketplace. They return to the reality of living, but they keep this experience in their hearts and discuss it among themselves. They all must have seen something different, for none of us see the same thing, even when we observe the same event. 

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Lent is our journey to transfiguration, to transformation. We desire to ascend the mountain to have a closer relationship with God, but it can be difficult and steep. We can lose our way, stumble, lose our balance, and even fall. Every day we face struggles, whether physically, spiritually, or emotionally. At times we experience Jesus on the mountain, but we cannot stay there. We must return to the reality of living as every-day people, coping with daily ups and downs. Through our daily prayer, listening, and reflection, God gives us strength, courage, wisdom, and grace to continue our journey. 

Transfiguration and transformation are for each of us. During these weeks of Lent we climb our own mountains to experience Jesus. With deep listening and fearless hearts, we learn to trust and believe that God is with us every step of the journey. May our lives be transformed with new hope and illuminated by new light.