A Homily for the 2nd Sunday in Lent (C)
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Today’s Gospel reading reminded me of something that happened to me when I was a novice for the Dominicans, more than a dozen years ago. Our novitiate was in Denver, and early in the year, kind of a way to get to know each other, we went hiking in the Rocky Mountains — yes, I was younger and in better shape then. It was beautiful, and pretty amazing to see snow on the ground in August.
As we hiked together, we were chatting and joking on the way; probably not unlike Jesus, Peter, James and John in today’s Gospel. Near the top we sat down and admired the view, took in the fresh air. And of course after the exertion of the climb, we were tired, so I can understand Peter, James and John getting sleepy while they were at the top of the mountain.
In today’s Gospel reading, as Peter, James and John slept, Jesus started to pray, and while doing so He is “transfigured” and upon waking, Peter and his companions see Jesus speaking with Moses and the Prophet Elijah. Only in St. Luke’s account of the Transfiguration do we hear what Jesus, Moses and Elijah were discussing – Jesus’ exodus. The Greek word “exodus” means “departure.”
The background for all the Mass readings this month is Israel’s Exodus from slavery in Egypt. The Exodus was the central event in Israel’s religious history. It was that event which convinced them that they were indeed God’s Chosen People, for what other people could claim that God had personally delivered them in their time of trial? As the Israelites settled into their land inheritance, they also fell into sin. The prophets proclaimed to them that it was their sins that led them into the real captivity, the real slavery. The prophets predicted further that God would again personally intervene on their behalf, and that a Messiah would lead them in a “new Exodus,” sealed with a “New Covenant” (i.e., Jer. 23:7-8; 31:31-33).
St. Paul, in today’s second reading, reminds the Philippians, and us, that “our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we also await a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Phil. 3:20). However, like some of the Philippians, too often our “minds are occupied with earthly things” (Phil. 3:19). The deepest yearning of the human heart is everlasting happiness, and such happiness depends on living in a close relationship with God. Like a plant that never gets sunshine, separated from God the human heart withers.
After Adam and Eve’s Fall in the Garden, staying close to God became impossible. Original Sin causes a loss of grace, and God is too bright for graceless, sin-damaged eyes to see. For souls weakened by sin, God is too far away to find. We would all live in hopeless frustration, unable to embrace God, the only person who can make us truly happy, if it was not for Christ Jesus. He shades the brightness of God, and crosses the distance.
The symbolism of today’s readings reminds us of this dilemma. In the first reading, God makes a covenant with Abram to seal His promise of salvation. By making the covenant God shows that He wants to be close to us, but in fact is still distant. God uses a burning torch and a smoking pot to represent His walking through the sacrificial animals. The smoke of the pot symbolizes God’s mystery. We cannot see God clearly, just as we cannot see through smoke. God’s spiritual purity and brightness are symbolized by the fire. It is too painful to look at directly, and anyone who comes too close will be incinerated.
These two symbols appears in the Gospel’s account of Jesus’ Transfiguration, which is a precursor of the New Covenant He will establish by His sacrifice on the Cross. This time the brightness shines out of Jesus Himself, indicating that God’s spiritual purity is one with Jesus, for Jesus is God. A cloud covers Jesus and a voice from the cloud reveals the mystery of God – in Christ Jesus the distant, mysterious God of the Old Covenant has come to walk with us. It is through and in Jesus that the age of frustration has come to an end. Once again, friendship and closeness with God are made possible.
What should be our response be to this marvelous presence of God in Christ Jesus? We should thank Him for His goodness to us by following His example. By giving us His friendship in Christ, God has bridged the distance between Himself and us in a gentle way. Likewise we should reach out gently to those around us.
Jesus comes down to our level in order to lead us up to His level. He is very patient with us. He even puts up with our tantrums.
Do we treat those around us in such a way? Are we patient with them, even when, especially when, they are throwing tantrums? Do we try to meet people at the level they are at, or do we wait for them to come to our level?
Jesus stills wants to teach the world – the whole world – about God’s goodness and just how much He loves us. Jesus wants to bring every man, woman and child close to God, because He knows that only God can make them truly, eternally happy. While Jesus is the bridge that bridges the gap between God and humankind, we are the stones of that bridge.
I am sure that all of us can think of someone in our lives who we can treat in a more Christ-like way. Maybe they need to hear the Good News. As we receive Holy Communion today, let us ask God to give us the strength to treat that person in a more Christian manner or to share the Gospel with that person who is still living in the darkness and slavery of sin. After we ask for that strength, let us promise to do our best to shine with Christ’s gentle light, bringing happiness to everyone around us [see www.epriest.com, Homily Pack, “Mar 4, 2007, Second Sunday in Lent (C)”].
