A Call to Conversion of Life and Witness to the Truth
Every year on the 2nd Sunday of Lent the Gospel reading recounts what is called the Transfiguration of Christ, the culminating event of Jesus’ public life, as His Baptism is its starting point, and His Ascension its end.
The word “transfiguration” comes from the Latin “trans,” which means “across,” and “figura” which means “form” or “shape.” It signifies a change of appearance, and this is exactly what happened to Jesus; His appearance changed and became glorious. It is a proclamation of the divinity of Jesus.
The description of the transfiguration is reported in all three Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark and Luke). It is intended for all of us, not just Peter, James and John as we hear in today’s Gospel from Luke. We are called a conversion of life and witness to God’s message. This is what Lent should be for all of us.
St. Thomas Aquinas, a Dominican priest and Doctor of the Church, writes, “At His Transfiguration Christ showed His disciples the splendor of His beauty, to which He will shape and color those who are His.”
The Catechism of the Catholic Church says, “Christ, Head of the Church, manifests what His Body contains and radiates the sacraments, ‘the hopes of glory.’”)CCC 568)
This is what Lent should be about for us, grasping the hope offered by Christ!
Reflection by Nick O’Hearn
Co-Chair, Faith Formation Commission; RCIA team member; Usher
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