Second Sunday of Lent

Lectionary: 25

And he was transfigured before them; 
his face shone like the sun 
and his clothes became white as light.
And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them,
conversing with him.

In the 17th chapter of Saint John's Gospel, we hear Jesus praying to his Father for and about us,

I wish that where I am they also may be with me, that they may see my glory that you gave me, because you loved me before the foundation of the world.

Unlike the synoptic gospels (Mathew, Mark and Luke) Saint John's Gospel has no "transfiguration" story except the crucifixion. There Jesus' prayer -- that they may see my glory -- is fulfilled.

For those who need a less subtle sign, the Synoptic Gospels provide the Transfiguration, with Peter, James and John as witnesses. Before he is crucified we see his face shining like the sun and his clothes as white as light, and we hear a "voice come from heaven." With that vision still fresh in our minds we may be ready to witness his passion and death.

We often envision the good life as escape from trouble. The modern illusion of the good life is doing whatever you want to do without harassment or restriction. If there is a challenge, it's one of one's own choosing. Extreme sports,  for instance, cultivates that notion of freedom, where the dangers are predictable and manageable. If the sportsman gets killed by an avalanche, his buddies say, "He died doing what he wanted. It doesn't get any better than that." They see glory where common sense sees only narcissism and a wasted life.

During Lent Christians turn away from inane ideas of the good life and "lift high the cross." We want to appreciate the glorious victory Jesus has won and we want to know how we should follow in his footsteps.  

The cross especially challenges religious misconceptions that seduce many American Christians. Ross Douthat, in his book Bad Religion: How We Became a Nation of Heretics, identifies several popular "heresies," including fundamentalism, syncretism, Gnosticism, solipsism, messianism, utopianism, apocalypticism, nationalism and the gospel of prosperity. (This book makes excellent Lenten reading if you are inclined to understand sin as more than a personal problem.)

Douthat points to the prosperity gospel, for instance, which promises success, ease and comfort to the devout. Huckster’s readily exploit the downhearted and gullible with this Gospel of Success. More sophisticated but equally gullible people might embrace the gospel of personal satisfaction, which promises physical fitness, financial success and good relationships to those willing to work hard. (Church attendance is optional.) Patriots readily buy Christian nationalism with its doctrines of freedom, democracy and the American Way of Life. Entwined with that is the heresy of determinism and the belief that God has revealed the future to us. Ideologues envision a future of guaranteed “rights for people like me."

The Cross is a gateway for those willing to follow Jesus. On this Transfiguration Sunday the Father of Jesus gives us one simple instruction. “Listen to him!” If you think you know what he is saying, you are not listening; you’re thinking. If you think you know what the cross means, you’re thinking, not listening. If you are not dazzled by his appearance – stunned into silence and holy fear – you’re not listening.

To listen to Jesus you will have to walk with him as he travels to Jerusalem and Calvary. He does not stand still, nor does his Church. He doesn’t explain every step of the way to reassure the hesitant; he marches.

At times you will think “I know where this is going”, but you will be wrong. Can the bride and groom kneeling before the altar know where this is going? Only vaguely. Can the candidate prostrate before the bishop on his ordination day know where this is going? Or the novice on her day of investiture? Not likely. 

Our only assurance is the prayer of Jesus, “that they may see my glory that you gave me, because you loved me before the foundation of the world.”