2nd Sunday of Lent: The Light Never Goes Out!

This week’s Gospel on the Transfiguration of Christ calls to mind for me, one word, “encouragement.”  Though we believe that everything God made was very good, we nevertheless live in a very hard world, this place can at times be bitter, harsh, painful, scary and downright awful.  I don’t mean to paint a terrible picture, but you know that in life we deal with pain, suffering, and loss.  The greatest thing is that Jesus gives us the grace before hand, during and afterwards to get through anything.

Jesus realized that it would be difficult for His Apostles when the time would come for his arrest, that like us, they too would be frightened, lose hope, and hide.  So, in order to give them light and the reminder of hope, he let them receive a piece of heaven as well as showing Himself to them in His glory.  That was the reason for the Transfiguration.

We might be asking, “Why can’t I receive a moment like that?”  Well, we do, maybe not identically, but Jesus shines light into our hearts to give us encouragement.  He does this through His Word from Scripture, His Word as it is preached both liturgically and our sharing of that Word with one another, through the Sacraments, and through prayer and fellowship.

Think of the moments in your life that were painful that were tough to get through, and lo and behold here you are having come through them.  When we are in the difficult moments, in our dark moments, it is difficult to see light.  When Jesus died and was buried the Apostles saw no light, they were defeated, much like we feel when a loved one dies, and we feel defeat in its fullest sense.  The Apostles slowly began to recall the Light, the Truth, as the women starting relaying the stories of the Risen Lord after they had returned from the empty tomb.  I am sure the Apostles remembered the Transfiguration, the miracles, and their time with Jesus, giving them hope that all was not lost.

Where are your right now in your life?  What are your struggles and what is your darkness?  Remember that no matter how difficult life becomes Jesus always gives us hope; do not forget all the blessings you have already received, the moments of transfiguration, when the Lord revealed Himself to you in whatever manner it was, let that be your light.  For it is a Light that never goes out!  Amen! FJ