March 1, 2026: Second Sunday of Lent

Gospel: Matthew 17:1-9

Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 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. Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud cast a shadow over them, then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” When the disciples heard this, they fell prostrate and were very much afraid. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and do not be afraid.” And when the disciples raised their eyes, they saw no one else but Jesus alone. As they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, “Do not tell the vision to anyone until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”

Reflection

This week, we hear the Gospel writer Matthew recount the story of Jesus’ Transfiguration. It is such an important story that each of the synoptic Gospel writers includes an account of the event.

And we hear it each year on the second Sunday of Lent. Jesus is transfigured before the awed apostles Peter, James and John.

His appearance becomes dazzling, other-worldly, and he talks with Elijah and Moses. It must have been an incredibly significant event for the early church since it is recorded three times in the gospels. Is it significant for us today?

This display of the grandeur of God stuns the apostles, as it would stun us if we were there. And yet, all of creation is a display of the grandeur of God in our time and place.

The psalmist tells us in Psalm 19, “The heavens are telling the glory of God and all creation proclaims God’s handwork” (19:1). While we may not be privy to visions of a transfigured Christ, we can see God’s glory in our own lives. Saint Mother Theodore tells us, “At each step we can admire the grandeur, the power, the goodness of God.”

Transfiguration isn’t just about grandeur, though. It is also about becoming transformed into something new. And perhaps we hear the story twice in each liturgical cycle because we are being called to our own personal transformations. And transformation is hard!

Anyone who has ever struggled to overcome a bad habit or put aside a prejudice knows the truth of that statement. Yet Jesus asks us to be transformed, to be changed into his likeness for our own sake, and the sake of the world, to embody our charism of love, mercy and justice.

Action

Let’s pray this week that we may experience a transformation in our own lives, no matter how small. And then let that transformation inform our actions in a world in desperate need of our love.