I was delighted to learn on Friday that so many of you have already filled in and submitted the Disciple Makers Index survey that opened in our parish and in parishes throughout our archdiocese on Ash Wednesday. This DMI survey, which we first conducted in 2018, has helped us as a parish understand how we can better grow in our relationship with Jesus and as a community of faith lead each other to our final destiny: heaven. Like all parishes, our primary mission is to draw everyone to God. Today’s readings and the Season of Lent seem especially relevant as we focus on this mission.
Our first reading tells of Abraham’s encounter with God in which he – a wandering Aramean – is promised his own land as his possession and – even though both he and his wife were elderly and beyond child-bearing age – he is also told that his descendants will be as numerous as the stars in the sky. And, Abraham puts his faith in God.
The reading from Paul’s letter to the Philippians encourages us to “stand firm in the Lord” in the face of the temptations of the world. Paul reminds us that our “citizenship is in heaven,” and it is in conforming our lives to Jesus’ teachings that we will be led to our eternal reward.
Then, the Gospel gives us a beautiful glimpse into what that citizenship will be like. We will see Jesus in his glory just as the three disciples Peter, John and James did on that mountain. Like Jesus, we will walk with saints and prophets. We will hear the voice of God speaking directly to us. We will be transfigured, made whole and perfect, as God always intended us to be. The Transfiguration gives us a foretaste of Christ’s glorious coming, when he will “change our lowly body to conform with his glorified body,” as Paul tells us in today’s second reading.
We hear the reading of the Transfiguration on the second Sunday of every Lent to encourage us in our Lenten journey. Like our Lord, like the apostles, like Abraham and Paul, we are all challenged as we face the hardships that are part of our lives. And, those hardships are not accidental – they are all part of God’s plan. But, if we put our faith and trust in God – as Abraham, and Paul and all the apostles did – we will be brought to the Promised Land – heaven. Let us reflect on this and renew our Lenten dedication so that this Lent will bring us even more deeply into the Paschal mystery and prepare us to share in our Lord’s glory forever!