iStock/photoschmidt
Where are you going? It is a simple and important question. Paul addresses the Philippians with this question, with great concern, in this weekend’s second reading.
He is warning them about people who conduct themselves as enemies of the cross of Christ. He describes such people by saying “their God is their stomach; their glory is their ‘shame.’ Their minds are occupied with earthly things.”
We ponder our own age. Over consumption of media is common, even for those seeking to follow Christ. Then add the temptations experienced as the mind is numbed through endless scrolling or sucked into one video after another: “How many hours was that?” Such behavior can be debilitating, if not damaging. Perhaps begun as unconscious coping mechanisms or ways of avoiding reality, sadly, they leave us worse off than we began, with consciences already laden with poor and often sinful decisions. Where does this activity lead? Paul says frankly, “Their end is destruction.”
We find ourselves in the second Sunday of Lent, which brings each year an account of the Transfiguration. It seems paradoxical, that in the season of self-denial and deepened meditation on Our Lord’s passion we hear of Peter, James and John experiencing a powerful revelation of Jesus’ glory. This year, we hear Luke’s version, which uniquely expresses some content of the conversation between Jesus, Moses and Elijah; they speak of Jesus’ “exodus that he was to accomplish in Jerusalem.”
In the liturgical context, the word “exodus” brings much to mind: the Israelites’ 40 years in the desert, Jesus’ 40 days being tempted in the wilderness, and our season of Lenten prayer and penance. This word also brings to mind his destination, where Jesus is going. To assist our understanding, we can ponder his two unexpected guests.
With Moses, “exodus” brings to mind the Promised Land; it is his destination (to which he himself never arrives). But what about Elijah? Did he not come centuries after the exodus? Interestingly, Elijah’s own exodus/departure of old helps interpret Jesus’ in the Gospel of Luke. Elijah was “taken up” (analambán?) to heaven in his fiery chariot (2 Kgs 2:9, 11). Soon after the Transfiguration, Luke tells us, “When the days for his being taken up (anál?mpsis) were fulfilled, (Jesus) resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem” (Lk 9:51). Then as Luke opens his second volume, telling of Jesus in Jerusalem being lifted up on a cloud, he depicts two men in white garments saying to the gathered believers, “This Jesus … has been taken up (analambán?) from you into heaven ….” (Acts 1:11). When Jesus, Moses and Elijah speak about Jesus’ exodus in Jerusalem, Luke indicates that they are conversing about where Jesus is going. Indeed, he will be lifted up on the cross (cf. Jn 3:14), so we rightly meditate upon the passion during Lent, but his destination is beyond. Thus, amid this journey, we need to keep our eye on where we are going. Jesus wants us united to him in his passion and death so that he can “take us up” to share in his heavenly glory, where he has taken our Blessed Mother before us.
Where are you going? The Transfiguration indicates God’s desire to take you to heaven. If the distractions of the modern age afflict you, perhaps revise your Lenten disciplines and fast from the source on certain days or during certain portions of the day (for example, after 8 p.m.). In its place, pray, write handwritten notes to someone in need or do something else that is mindful of others, or just go to bed early. Love of neighbor is easier when well rested. With God’s grace, choose to live in ways that bring you to share Jesus’ glory now and forever.
Father Carl is vice rector of The St. Paul Seminary School of Divinity in St. Paul and assistant sacramental minister to the Latino community at St. Odilia in Shoreview. He can be reached at [email protected].
Sunday, March 13
Second Sunday of Lent
Recent Comments