Gospel Lectio Divina for The Second Sunday of Lent - March 5, 2023
Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. And You shall renew the face of the earth.
O, God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy His consolations, Through Christ Our Lord, Amen.
READ
Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves.
And he was transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, conversing with him. Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, "Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud cast a shadow over them, then from the cloud came a voice that said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him." When the disciples heard this, they fell prostrate and were very much afraid. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, "Rise, and do not be afraid." And when the disciples raised their eyes, they saw no one else but Jesus alone.
As they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, "Do not tell the vision to anyone until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead."
MEDITATE
Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves.
To be sacred is to be set apart, separated from society. Jesus led them up a high mountain, to a secluded place, to experience his sacred transfiguration. This is why everything about our Catholic faith must be set apart. The world corrupts, but God calls us to be different. He called the Israelites to be different, giving them laws no other nation had. In the same way, he calls the Church to be different. We are a city on a hill. Christians are the light of the world that point people to heaven. We are supposed to shine in the world as Jesus did at the Transfiguration, so as to lead the way.
His face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light.
Jesus was literally shining during the Transfiguration because he is the truth, and the truth is illuminating. He is also pure, and purity also shines. He was pure of heart and free from sin. In art, saints are depicted with a halo for the same reason. Their holiness could be sensed by their presence alone. There was a light that accompanied them when they entered the room. While it may have been unseen physically, it was felt metaphysically. This is also why demons felt uncomfortable in Jesus’ presence. There was a light resonating from him they could not endure, like orcs in the sunlight.
Moses and Elijah appeared to them, conversing with him.
This revelation is significant because it reveals the presence of the saints among us, even though we cannot see them. Peter, James and John saw two great saints who had been dead for centuries, but were now with them. The same grace is given to us when we go to Mass. We see statues and stained glass windows depicting the saints all around us, but they are much more than decorations. They are also more than simply reminders of the witnesses who came before us. The art is giving us windows into the spiritual reality that the saints are there with us, worshiping Christ at the Mass just as Moses and Elijah were with Jesus at the Transfiguration.
The Gospel says Moses and Elijah were conversing with Jesus. One could only wonder what they were saying. I imagine the words consisted of praise and worship.
"Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah."
True, it is good that Peter, James and John were there. Jesus needed them to see his glory. Peter isn’t wrong about that. But he was wrong in equating Jesus to Moses and Elijah. At the time, Peter probably didn’t yet know that Jesus was the Son of God. Showing Moses and Elijah the same amount of praise as Jesus was just a misunderstanding. That is probably, at least partially, why God the Father stepped in to make the clarification.
"This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him."
I find it fascinating that Jesus never directly calls himself the “Son of God”. He leaves that to others. Even when the Sanhedrin asks him “Are you the Son of God,” he says, “You say that I am.” He talks about the Son of God coming into the world to save it, but he never says that it is him.
There’s a good reason for that. What’s the point? Anyone could claim to be the son of God themselves. It holds no weight. But when Jesus proves it, and has others say it, now that’s significant. In doing so, he sets an example for us, to not just say we are Christian but to prove it through our actions and have others testify to the fact for us instead.
We can take this wisdom into other parts of life. When we use the Bible to try to prove the Bible, we are proving nothing. That’s circular reasoning. Of course the Bible is going to confirm its own claims. But when another source from outside of the Bible affirms that it is true, now we have real evidence.
Jesus knew that he could claim to be the Son of God all day long every day, and it wouldn’t make a difference. But at the Transfiguration, and at his baptism, God the Father himself says it. There is no one better to affirm such a truth.
"Rise, and do not be afraid."
I’m going to gather together the 365 verses where the Bible says “Do not be afraid” and read one each day. Isn’t that the main reason we hesitate to do the things we know we’re supposed to do? I can only speak for myself, but fear is what keeps me down. Fear is what keeps me from rising. There are so many kinds of fear. I have to admit, I fear what might happen if I do certain things. I become afraid when I’m in the presence of something I know can overpower me. I fear what other people think of me.
When God the Father spoke at the Transfiguration, I’m sure there were all kinds of different fears running through the apostles’ heads: fear of the unknown, fear of a power that was apparently much greater than they were, fear of being exposed and their sins being known by the Father’s omniscient presence, and maybe other fears. Am I saying fear too much? Perhaps, but perhaps it is necessary to put a spotlight on it and put fear on trial. It has thwarted so many of my plans, so many good things I intended to do.
Despite their fears, the apostles survived the Transfiguration unscathed. They were in the presence of the most powerful being and they were unharmed. It just goes to show, if God is for us, who can be against us? So do not be afraid, and rise to the occasion.
PRAY
Dear Lord,
You are the Son of God. Help me to believe it. I will always search for you, even if I search in the wrong places sometimes. I will follow you to the top of Mt. Tabor to see you in glory one day. My climb is my life here on earth, and your transfiguration will be heaven. Take over my life because that is the only way to have lasting joy in it, and to finally meet you in paradise. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
LISTEN
God the Father said, “This is my beloved son with whom I am well-pleased. Listen to him.” So, we listen. It’s always good when the instructions on how to pray come from God himself. One of the best ways to listen to him is to go to a Eucharistic Adoration chapel and just sit in his efficacious presence. After all, at the Transfiguration, by simply being in Jesus’ presence Peter, James and John were led to the Father. Jesus will always lead us to his Father, just as Mary always leads us to Jesus.
Kilby is a freelance writer from New Jersey and managing editor of Catholic World Report. He received his undergrad degree in humanities and Catholic culture from the Franciscan University of Steubenville. In addition to working with the Knights of the Holy Eucharist (knights.org), he has served as a journalist for Princeton Packet Publications, and the Trenton Monitor, the magazine for the Diocese of Trenton. Some of his published work can also be found in St. Anthony Messenger, Catholic Herald (UK), and Catholic World Report. For the latter he is managing editor. Find more of his writing at ramblingspirit.com.