Sunday Gospel Reflection
2nd Sunday of Lent
Luke 9:28b-36 | March 13, 2022
The Transfiguration
Josie Gonzales
” … Jesus took Peter, John, and James with him and went up a hill to pray. While he was praying, his face changed its appearance, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly two men were there talking with him. They were Moses and Elijah. As the men were leaving Jesus, Peter said to him, ‘Master, how good it is that we are here! ‘
… While he was still speaking, a cloud appeared and covered them with its shadow and the disciples were afraid as the cloud came over them. A voice said from the cloud, ‘This is my Son, whom I have chosen—listen to him!’ When the voice stopped, there was Jesus all alone.”
Today’s Gospel talks about Jesus: The Son of Man and the Son of God. Jesus, in His human form, was transfigured into His glorified heavenly state.
Ano ba ang ibigsabihin ng transfiguration ni Hesukristo? At ano ang kahalagahan o simbolo nito?
Ipinapaliwanag sa ebanghelyo na ang kanyang pagbabagong-anyo ay patotoo na si Kristo ang Diyos-Anak. The Almighty Father said, “This is my Son with whom I am well pleased” and then asks us to listen to Him.
His transfiguration was a change in His human appearance into an indescribably beautiful or spiritual state so that man may recognize that Christ Jesus is our eternal connection to the Father—the bridge between heaven and earth.
Napakasarap isipin na kasama natin ang Panginoon sa mundong ginagalawan natin habang pinaghahandaan nating matamasa ang kaligayahan na walang hanggan sa langit.
Are we indeed preparing to enjoy eternal life with the Lord? Saan tayo?
The transfiguration on the mount was a mystical event that terrified Peter, John, and James. Why so? Nabigla ba sila sa pagbabagong-anyo ni Hesus? Was the experience a miracle to them given the presence of the Holy Trinity? The Father as He spoke, Jesus in His humanity, and the Holy Spirit manifesting in the cloud.
The disciples were overwhelmed by what they witnessed—a significant happening. Significant, because it was the fulfillment of the Law and the prophets as Moses and Elijah appeared to Jesus while He was praying.
The fulfillment of the Law meant Jesus, as the Messiah, had to suffer and die on the cross—the Almighty Father’s ultimate gift to us for ‘He so loved the world’. Feel ba natin ito?
How do we respond? How do we reciprocate all His goodness? By just waiting for the clouds to open for ‘manna’ to fall?
Let’s do some soul searching. Magnilay-nilay tayo.
As we observe Lent, let’s go up the “Mount of Transfiguration” and pray as Jesus did. In a homily given in an online mass I regularly attend, the priest said, “‘waste’ time with the Lord.” Look at the sky, the clouds, the trees, the flowers, and the birds—nature in all its splendor because God created it to be so for us, His beloved children. As we feel the wind, the air we breathe, sunlight, sunshine, rain, we know that God is here talking to us, listening, and guiding us.
Let’s greet the Lord “good morning” as we wake up, ask forgiveness before we sleep, talk to Him, and thank Him for our life.
Let’s constantly ask God to lead us to the right path and for discernment of mission.
Let’s walk with Jesus to Calvary with our own pain, hurts, fears, worries, sufferings; feel the pain and agony he suffered to save us from sin. Let’s turn to Him in full repentance during this Lenten walk.
Are we ready? Let’s walk with Jesus this very minute. Trust Him.
Transfiguration, a profound word that is full of meaning.
As we approach national and local elections, let us transform ourselves, not the way Jesus was transfigured in physical appearance to His glorious state, but inwardly—in our thoughts, our deeds, in what we say and do. Let us select our leaders based on ‘performance’ and not on issues that candidates throw at each other or, sad to say, are equally guilty of. Huwag tayong sumawsaw sa putik na binabato ng mga kandidato at supporters nila sa katunggali. Tingnan ang track record at experience sa panunungkulan ng mga kandidato. Let us not be swayed by promises being made as elections near because they almost always turn out to be empty promises. Instead, let’s pray for those running for office that they may be true to their word of service to the country and its people. We also pray that the Lord bless us with a clear mind and an open heart to choose leaders who are competent, honest and committed in the service of the Filipinos, especially during these critical times.
Prayers truly move mountains. The Lenten season is a time of the year that we pray the loudest. Iparinig natin sa Mahal na Panginoon.
As I end this reflection, let us also pray for world peace, for world leaders that they may lead with love and compassion, and not out of greed and hatred. Let’s pray for Ukraine, its leadership and its people that they may continue to have peace and freedom, and for the conversion of Russia and its leaders that the Lord may touch their hearts. Let’s pray for the soldiers, the wounded, the sick, the children and women, the refugees and other victims of this conflict, and all humanitarian efforts.
The Lord said Love conquers all.
This Lent, let us remember to love our enemy. For me, it is a difficult mission, but nothing is impossible if we lift everything up to the Most High. I will never give up. I will just keep trying.
A blessed Transfiguration!
