Homily for 2nd Sunday in Lent 2022

Posted on 14th March, 2022

Homily 2nd Sunday in Lent 13 March 2022:

 

Jesus took with him Peter and John and James and went up the mountain to pray. This is the third time this year that we hear in the Gospel reading that Jesus prayed. Jesus prayed at his Baptism; Jesus went up the mountain and prayed before choosing the Twelve. And today again we hear that Jesus went up the mountain to pray, this time in the company of his three closest disciples, Peter, James and John.

We hear in today's gospel that as Jesus prayed his face changed and his clothing became brilliant as lightning. This happened to Jesus as a fruit of his prayer. The prayer transformed him.

 

Why was this event on the mountain important for Jesus and his disciples? Just before they climbed the mountain Jesus had prophesied that he would suffer, be rejected, and be put to death by the authorities in Jerusalem. Jesus could foresee that this would happen to him, taking into account the rejection he experienced already from the side of the authorities.

 

The prospect of Jesus' rejection, suffering and death must have had an impact both on Jesus and on his disciples.

 

Today on the mountain, during prayer, Jesus was transformed and experienced for a moment the glory, which would be his after his resurrection; and the disciples witnessed his glory.

 

This event prepared Jesus and the disciples for whatever the future would bring them.

 

The prayer on the mountain transformed Jesus. Prayer can transform us as well: prayer will help us to overcome obstacles and to face difficulties. Prayer will help us to remain hopeful in the face of adversity.

Jesus and the disciples were about to set out on the journey to Jerusalem. We too are on a journey, on a journey through life. In the second reading St Paul tells us: our homeland is in heaven. We are on a journey through life.

 

The happy moments on this journey, we accept them readily. The moments of joy, of laughter, of success, and good health. But what about other events, like the war in Ukraine, on our doorsteps, the sight of millions of innocent people suffering, serious sickness, a sudden death? How to live with these? How to live with the darkness? Sometimes, it seems, things are getting too much.

Jesus and his disciples were comforted by what happened to Jesus on the mountain, the experience of his risen glory. What will bring us comfort?

 

We were not there, but we are comforted by our faith.  Our faith that the light of the Transfiguration continues to shine and to work in the World. The light of Christ continues to shine and transform the powers of darkness.

 

Yes, our faith can be a great comfort as we commit ourselves to face the good and the bad on our journey.

 

In the first reading, we heard how God made a covenant with Abram, because of his faith. Abram put his faith in the Lord.  He was given a new name, Abraham, the father of many nations.

Yes, our faith is a great comfort on the journey: our faith in the resurrection of Jesus, his victory over evil and death. Our trust that He is with us always.

 

We ask the Lord, to increase our Faith in his Presence, and in his action in the World.

 

Fr. Ferdinand Van Campen

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