The Transfiguration

By Andy Chambers, Pensacola, Fla. - St. Paul

This Sunday's Gospel reading (Lk 9:28b-36) is about the Transfiguration of Christ. We've read about a similar event happening once before when Moses went up Mount Sinai. He was gone for 40 days, and he spoke with God...and his face was transfigured. Exodus 34:29 "When Moses came down from Mount Sinai he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the Lord. 30 When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, his face was radiant, and they were afraid to come near him." Moses was radiant because he was a reflection of God's glory, it had changed his physical appearance.

Jesus was transfigured this way too, when he spoke with Moses and Elijah, in the presence of God in the form of a cloud that overshadowed them. Scripture tells us that Moses and Elijah were talking with Jesus about his "departure" or his future where he suffers, dies, and rises from the dead. During this, the disciples fall asleep. Can you believe that during the most incredible moment in their lives, Peter, James and John fall asleep?

Are we awake and ready to witness his glory, or are we asleep spiritually? Satan throws distractions at us every hour of every day, trying to spiritually put us to sleep, and keep us unaware of God's glory all around us. We need to prepare ourselves this Lenten season, to be ready, to be alert.

God descended as a cloud on Jesus and the disciples and said, "This is my Son, my chosen; Listen to Him." We should obey God, by listening to and following Jesus. We need to be a good witness to God's glory through living a life like Christ, by fulfilling God's desire for us to be good fathers, good husbands, and the best spiritual leaders that we can be.

See His Glory in your wife and children's faces. Hear his glory from their loving laughter. Experience His Glory by helping someone in need. Be alert, and share the love of Christ with your family this Lent. Show God that Satan's worldly distractions won't keep you from basking in the glory of the Lord. You will be transfigured this Lent if you let Christ into your heart and soul. Let Jesus, the light of the world, keep you spiritually awake this Easter so that we may all celebrate his resurrection and our salvation.