A Homily by Fr. Jerome, monk-priest of Genesee Abbey
Light from Light: The Second Sunday of Lent
The only begotten Son of God who became man when the Holy Spirit overshadowed the ever-virgin Mary led his disciples to heights of the Holy Mountain. There, in silence and solitude, Jesus entered into a heart-to-heart conversation with his loving Father. The disciples who had enjoyed a time of special intimacy with their Master found themselves surrounded by the splendor of the Trinity. Gazing upon the radiant glory shining from the face of Christ, they were given a glimpse of the unapproachable light. There, the fire of divine love that burned in the Heart of Christ illumined their minds and hearts as they gazed upon his face. There, wrapped in a robe of light Christ revealed the hidden lessons of the past. For a moment the veil was lifted, and his disciples were allowed to contemplate his glory, the glory of the only Son that is full of grace and truth. The glory that shone from the depths of Christ’s being transformed the disciples into His image and likeness. Today, this radiant light is offered to us, grace upon grace, making us more and more like Christ. As we continue to ascend the heights, from glory to glory, we shall become lights that overcome the darkness of the world in the name of Christ.
Christ is the “image of the invisible God” (Col 1:15) and the reflection of the Father’s glory (cf. Heb 1:3). The transfiguration afforded the disciples a glimpse of the glory that resided in the tent of Christ’s body. In a twinkling of an eye, it was gone. This encounter was an object lesson. The mountain is not intended to be our permanent home. The voice of the Father challenges us to look beyond the experience of ecstasy to encounter the person of the Son. In our greatest glories on earth, we must never forget that this is not our final resting place. The world as we know it is passing away. Our earthly tent will be torn down and be replaced by an eternal dwelling God has prepared for us in heaven.
The Word Made Flesh accompanies us throughout the season of Lent. Having encountered him on Tabor, we walk with Him to Calvary. On the cross, he draws us to himself and becomes the Way that leads us to the Father. Saint Paul wrote: “God has made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory that is shining on the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Cor. 4:6).
The word of God expands and elevates our vision. Our time with Jesus on Mt. Tabor, the mount of the Transfiguration, prepares us for Golgotha, the mount of the crucifixion. Let us spend time contemplating the face of Christ both in glory and pain. Acknowledging the depth of his love for us, we will be drawn out of our agony into his radiant glory. At the foot of the cross, the Father of lights invites us to strip off the old man and be clothed in a robe of glory. Everything changes once we allow the glory that shines on the face of Christ to shine on us. Day by day, we will be transformed by the Light into light for others. With the disciples, we ascend the heights and see the light. If we wander from the path, we will be sought by the Light who never abandons us. The Lord who draws us to the heights comes down to meet us in the depths.
Lent is a favorable time for personal and community renewal, as it draws us into the paschal mystery of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. May the Lord open the eyes of our hearts so that we might see the light of his truth. May he shine the light of hope upon us and free us from the original darkness that clouds our vision. May he restore our sight that we may look upon his face and see the glory that will be ours in the Spirit. “O God, you are my God, for you I long. It is for you that my soul is thirsting. My body pines for you like a dry weary land without water, so I gaze on you in the sanctuary to see your strength and your glory” (Ps. 63: 1-2).