II SUNDAY OF LENT
THE TRANSFIGURATION
By our Pastor, Fr. Carmelo Jiménez
Our Lenten journey leads us to reflect on the mystery of the cross as a way to glory. Therefore, with different signs, Jesus shows to his apostles, his glory. That glory awaits those who believe in God, as we heard in the first reading about Abraham, and Moses and Elijah in the Gospel.
A few days ago I was in Mexico, to participate in the Diocesan Seminary Day (2nd. Sunday of February). That day a lot of brothers and sisters in the faith were in the Seminary, they came from the whole diocese. This year coincided with the date 17 years ago when I was ordained a transitional deacon. My priesthood ordination was in the same place. During the Seminary day I enjoyed many memories, but one of them came from the day of my priesthood ordination. The Mass and all the celebrations were on the soccer field and basketball courts, there were about 12,000 people. 9 priests and 7 deacons were ordained. Before us was the church of the Seminary and on the top there is a large cross. Father Cesar Augusto, was at my side, inspired and excited he told me: “on the cross (pay attention to the Church’s cross) we will be crucified” And I answered: “Not on that cross but in this one down here.” he ran his sight over all the people and said to me: “This scares me, it is heavier than the other one.”
The first reading of Genesis tells us about Abraham’s faith: listen and obey. When God asks for his son, as proof that he really listens, Abraham unhesitatingly did as God asked him and through the angel, God recognized his faith. “Do not lay your hand on the boy,” said the angel. “Do not do the least thing to him. For now I know that you fear God, since you did not withhold from me your son, your only one.” (Gen. 22: 12). For that such great faith and faithfulness to God, the church calls him the father of the faith, our father Abraham.
In the Gospel we hear the Lord’s transfiguration on Mount Tabor. To his disciples Jesus preached the persecution that awaits them, and Peter wanted to stop him, and Thomas questioned to where they would go. Many disciples have turned their backs on the Lord for not understanding the plan of salvation. In the Gospel we heard Jesus was transfigured before Peter, James and John in anticipation of the glory that awaits him and awaits those who are faithful. Jesus, Moses and Elijah are still talking about the death that awaits Christ. He wants the apostles to understand that the cross is the only way to resurrection and eternal life.
A cross without Christ is nothing, that does not redeem, it is masochism for those who support it. A Christ without a cross does not lead to glory. Each day Jesus Christ is transfigured in the poor, in those who suffer, in the sinner and takes their faces and says: “amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me “(Mt 25: 40). He does not say “AS IF YOU DID FOR ME”, he says: “YOU DID FOR ME!”
In the responsorial psalm we say: “I will walk before the Lord, in the land of the living”. Walking is advancing. Everyone who walks is at risk of tripping and falling, but only the one who takes that risk will reach the goal. Our goal, as Christians, is salvation, despite fears of the cross, cling to God and remember: “if God is for us, who can be against us?” (Rom. 8: 31b).
May God grant us the faith as he gave to Abraham for listening and being faithful to his voice, and after passing through the cross, we may enjoy eternal life with Him. May we be transfigured by the example of Christ every day, in love, in prayer, and in charity. Amen.