Lent: A Time for Transformation

The second week of Lent is upon us. By now, some people are having a productive season by maintaining their sacrifices while striving to detach more from the world. On the other hand, many of us are struggling or falling short. I understand. I’ve had Lents when I fell short and gave up, which is something I regret.

The account of the transfiguration may remind us why we are observing these 40 days. Jesus goes up to Mt. Tabor with Peter, James, and John. While they were there, the three apostles got a taste of his resurrection.

Jesus is lifted from the mountain in a prayer position. He is illuminated from behind and above with light.

When visiting the Vatican in 1869, Mark Twain was impressed by the painting drawn by Italian painter, Raphael. He writes, “I shall remember The Transfiguration partly because it was placed in a room almost by itself; partly because it is acknowledged by all to be the first oil painting in the world; and partly because it was wonderfully beautiful.”

That painting still exists and it is visited by many today.

The readings for this Sunday call us to let God transfigure our ordinary lives into something extraordinary.

St. Paul writes in his letter to the Philippians, “Our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we also await a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. He will change our lowly body to conform with his glorified body.”

Lent is a time to examine our habits and identify those that are keeping us from reaching the heights of heaven. God wants to transfigure or change our lives for his glory. All that it takes is for us to “listen to him.”

Let God transform us into saints. It begins when we heed his call to greatness