Lent, second week

ANG PAGBABAGONG ANYO NI JESUS

Msgr. Ruben Dimaculangan

In the two preceding readings we have been reminded today of the salvific value of suffering, and self mortification. Abraham, at age 75, had to renounce his pagan belief, leave his tribe and his country (Ur, south of Iraq) and face the dangers and difficulties of setting up a home among "strangers", that is, enemies at that time (Gen. 12:1-4). Timothy, son of a pagan father and a Jewish mother, is reminded by Paul during his second missionary journey to Lystra of the necessity of suffering for the gospel, if he is to preach effectively (2 Tim 1:8-10).

Our third reading from Matthew's gospel (17:1-9) is, instead, a source of encouragement – an incitement to be willing to suffer for a brief period because of the glory that will be ours later on. Six days before the transfiguration Peter had professed his faith in Jesus and had been praised for it. Yet, he still did not know the true Jesus. That is why during those six days the disciples' spirit was low especially when Jesus announced that he would go to Jerusalem and would be killed there. For Peter, it was an outrageous and unacceptable idea.

In order to strengthen them for the scandal of the cross , Christ now gives the three leading disciples a brief glimpse of his future glory as the risen Lord.

Jesus was transformed. Peter, realizing that Jesus was no mere a carpenter, wanted to perpetuate the moment of glory. He wanted to stay there in the mountain forever by pitching his tent. He was also thinking that Jesus, the new Moses, would receive another Law and revelation like what Moses (greatest lawgiver) and Elijah (greatest prophet) received at a mountaintop. But after hearing the voice from heaven the 3 apostles realized that Jesus received the seal of approval from the Father expressing that he was the fulfilment of all that Moses and Elijah had taught.

Jesus does not want them to stay on the mountain for their mission is waiting in the valley and they must follow Jesus to Jerusalem . When we believe in Jesus' presence we do not sit down in helplessness, frustration, anger or despair. We stand up and have no fear, no matter what kind of challenge awaits us in the valley.

Love can be tough and all demanding. We cannot and do not get to heaven in a limousine. He who shuffles off his cross will find that it doubles its weight and loses all the value it was intended for his true welfare. Besides, Jesus does not abandon his disciples in these moments. If he is asking them to share in the cross, he is also willing to let them share his glory.

While we teach our children the reality of human sacrifice, we must also teach them the beauty of the glory that follows. Generosity, integrity and true love lead to genuine happiness. Having contact with God transforms us. It drives away the darkness and makes us become a light for others. Yes, a light that is not hidden inside a drawer but put upon the table.