The journey of lent calls us to reflect on the deeper meaning of our faith, to examine how we are responding to God’s call, and to contemplate the ultimate goal of our Christian journey- union with God. Today, the liturgy presents us with two powerful readings that highlight God’s call and the revelation of His glory. Through the story of Abrams call in the first reading and the transfiguration of Jesus in the Gospel, we are invited to trust in God’s promises and to look toward the ultimate glory He has in store for us.
In the first reading, we hear about God’s call to Abram (later Abraham), who is asked to leave everything behind and journey to an unknown land. God promises to make him a great nation, to bless him, and to bless all the families of the earth through him. This moment is a pivotal point in salvation history. Abram’s response is a model of faith. He is asked to trust in God’s promise, even though he has no idea how it will unfold. Imagine the enormity of what God is asking. Abram is already established in a comfortable life with family, land and security. Yet, God asks him to step into the unknown. He does not have all the details or a map of the future, but he trusts in God’s promise. The journey of faith requires that same trust from us. Like Abram, we may not know the full picture, but we are called to trust in God’s plan.
In the Gospel, we witness the transfiguration of Jesus, a moment of profound revelation. Jesus takes Peter, James and John up a mountain, where He is transfigured before them, His face shining like the Sun, and His clothes becoming white as light. Moses and Elijah appear, representing the Law and the Prophets, confirming that Jesus is the fulfilment of the Old Covenant. This moment is a foretaste of the glory that awaits Jesus after His suffering and death. For the disciples, it’s a glimpse of the divine truth about who Jesus is the son of God, the Savior, the one in whom the promises of the Old Testament are realized. But it also foreshadows the Paschal Mystery, where Jesus’ full glory will be revealed in His Resurrection. For us the transfiguration is a reminder that the journey of faith is not without its moments of clarity and insight, even though it is also filled with struggle, doubt, and suffering. In lent we are invited to ascend the mountain with Christ, to spend time in prayer and contemplation, and to prepare ourselves for the glory of Easter. The transfiguration shows us that, while the path may involve suffering, the glory that lies ahead is far greater.
Both readings highlight a common theme: the call to trust and the promise of glory. Abram is called to step into the unknown, trusting that God will lead him to a land of blessing. The disciples are invited to see Jesus in His glory, understanding that the path to glory involves suffering, but the glory itself is certain and will be revealed in God’s time. Lent, then becomes a time in God’s call, even when we cannot see the whole picture. It is a time of ascension, both figuratively and literally-ascending the mountain with Christ, experiencing His glory in moments of prayer, and trusting that even in the midst of difficulty, God is leading us toward something far greater than we can imagine.
As we continue our Lenten journey, let us remember Abram’s faith, who obeyed God’s call without knowing the full plan. Let us also look to the transfiguration of Jesus, where we see the promise of divine glory that awaits us. May this season be a time of deepening trust, where we follow God’s call and prepare ourselves for the glorious resurrection that will be revealed in us at the end of time. In our own lives, like the disciples, we are sometimes called to the mountain prayer, where we encounter the glory of God in small ways. May we have the courage to ascent that mountain, to trust God’s promises, and to allow Him to transfigure our hearts as we draw closer to Him.