March 12, 2nd Sunday of Lent

March 12, 2017

Second Sunday of Lent

Genesis 12:1–4a; 2 Timothy 1:8b–10; Matthew 17:1–9

Do you know that even if there were no televisions yet during the time of Jesus, Jesus already mentioned the term “television”? If we look at today’s gospel reading, after the Transfiguration at Mt. Tabor, Jesus said to Peter, James and John: “Tel-e-vision to no one.” Our gospel for this 2nd Sunday of Lent is not about television but the vision of Jesus’ transfiguration. Why did Jesus allow Peter, James and John to witness his transfiguration? What effect did it bring about to his disciples?

FIRST, WE NEED TO POINT OUT THAT BEFORE THE TRANSFIGURATION EVENT, JESUS ALREADY TOLD HIS DISCIPLES THAT HE WILL SUFFER AND DIE. What was the reaction of the disciples? Of course, they were frustrated. Perhaps they were telling Jesus: “What will now happen to us? After all these years of following you, after leaving behind everything - our own livelihood and loved ones, you will suddenly leave us and allow yourself to suffer and die? What kind of Savior are you?” They were frustrated because it shattered all their expectations about Jesus as a political leader who will liberate them from the Romans. Faced with this problem, the disciples do not know how to address it. 

Sometimes we can be in this situation. When big problems come to us, bringing darkness in our lives, like the disciples we do not know what to do. In order to forget this problem, what do some people do? They divert from the real issue. Some drown themselves in vices in order to escape from the problem. But will this solve the problem? No. What will solve the problem is changing our attitude towards the problem. This is what I want to emphasize in my second point:

THE DISCIPLES OF JESUS WERE TRANSFORMED AFTER WITNESSING THE TRANSFIGURATION OF JESUS. What happened in the transfiguration? Jesus changed his appearance: his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light. He now looked like God. The disciples also heard the voice of the Father saying: “This is my beloved Son. He is not just an ordinary teacher or prophet. He is God. Do not abandon Him. Do not run away from Him out of fear. Listen to Him.” Jesus was transfigured not to impress Peter, James and John. Jesus was transfigured to strengthen them, to prepare them to face the big problem, to give them strength, to give them hope that suffering and death is not the end for Jesus.

Perhaps this is something we can learn from Jesus. Problems are solved not by changing the problem. Jesus did not solve the problem of his disciples by saying: “Ok. We will not anymore go to Jerusalem. I will not allow myself to be crucified.” No. Problems are rather solved by changing our attitude towards the problem. Jesus solved the problem of his disciples by transforming their hearts, by strengthening them to face the problem. How are we going to transform our hearts?

WE NEED TO SPEND TIME WITH THE LORD IN PRAYER. This is what Peter, James and John did. They climbed up the mountain to pray. This experience transformed their hearts, strengthened them and filled them with hope. In order for us to remember this, may I propose a new meaning for the letters ASAP. The dictionary tells us that ASAP is an abbreviation for “as soon as possible.” But ASAP can also mean “Always Say A Prayer.” If you encounter difficulties in life, remember ASAP, Always Say A Prayer. If you become depressed because of the many problems in life, remember ASAP, Always Say A Prayer. If it comes to a point that you are fed up with worries and anxieties, remember ASAP, Always Say A Prayer. It is in prayer that we encounter the Lord. It is in prayer that the Lord works to transform our hearts, to strengthen us to face the challenges of life.

My brothers and sisters, this Second Sunday of Lent, our gospel tells us that problems are solved not by changing the problem, not by diverting ourselves from the problem, but by changing our attitude towards the problem. As we continue our journey this Lent, let us allow our encounter with the Lord in our prayers to strengthen our hearts to face any difficulties in life.  Amen.