Reflection From

Fr. John

March 16, 2025

During this journey of Lent, we are given a glimpse into the Glory that awaits us at Easter with the account of the Transfiguration in the Gospel of Luke. The account of the Transfiguration is the high point of Jesus’ public life in the Gospels.

It is the high water mark that leads up to His Passion and Death in Jerusalem. During the Transfiguration, Christ’s Glory is revealed to His disciples. He is seen conversing with Moses and Elijah. St. Luke mentions, “...his clothing became dazzling white. And behold, two men were conversing with him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his exodus that he was going to accomplish in Jerusalem.” (Luke 9: 29-31)

Immediately following this powerful manifestation of His divinity, Jesus sets His course for Jerusalem and His coming crucifixion. The event of the Transfiguration of Christ teaches us that the revelation of Jesus’ Glory is intimately connected to His Passion. Only a few days after the Transfiguration are the events of Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem and His Passion. There is no greater contrast than with the Glory of Jesus revealed on Mount Tabor and His Suffering and Death on Mount Calvary only a few days later. The manifestation of Christ’s divinity on this earth is most clearly understood only in the context of the crucifixion.

As we begin our Lenten journey, we are reminded of the glory of the Cross and that being a Christian isn’t about obtaining the passing glory of this world but about obtaining eternal never ending glory in Heaven. We do not suffer difficulty or struggle in vain, rather the hope of Heaven and eternal joy lie before us. This must have been one of the reasons Christ chose to reveal Himself to his disciples in the Transfiguration before entering into His Passion.

He didn’t want his disciples to witness His suffering or to undergo persecution without first having knowledge of the hope of eternal life and the union with God that awaited them. Christ desired to strengthen within each of them the gifts of hope and fortitude in order that they would be able to endure the suffering of the Cross.

There is no true Glory this side of eternity without first passing through the suffering of the Cross. As we journey towards Good Friday, Christ desires to strengthen the resolve within each of us so that we may walk with Him in hope. The events of the Transfiguration remind us of the Joy that awaits us at Easter. Like an athlete, St. Paul mentions, “Run so as to win. Every athlete exercises discipline in every way. They do it to win a perishable crown, but we are an imperishable one.” (1 Cor 9:24-25) These days of Lent are like spiritual training. They help us recognize that we are each involved in a very important race, the race to become holy, the race to get to Heaven. There is no greater achievement or accomplishment in this life than to gain holiness, closeness with God. May we continue to strive this Lent to grow in holiness and recommit ourselves to those daily observances of prayer, fasting and almsgiving. In this way, we will run so as to win and share not in the passing glory of this world, but in the eternal Glory of God in Heaven.

Father John

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