(Photo Adobe Stock)
By Reiny Ortega Cubas
This Gospel for the Second Sunday of Lent recalls the transfiguration of Jesus before Peter, James, and John, which occurred six days after Peter spoke about Jesus’ true nature as the Messiah. But what is the transfiguration?
The transfiguration is the vision of Jesus as the fulfillment of the Law, represented by Moses, and the prophets, represented by Elijah. The disciples already knew and spoke about Jesus as the Messiah. Yet knowing the word is different from seeing the reality revealed before their eyes.
The three disciples, like us, are human, complex in their own ways, but certainly basic compared to the complexity and grandeur of God, and they see this marvellous image. It is not hard for us today to imagine it with all our technological effects. Think of how a production would show Jesus’ clothes glowing, and the sudden appearance of Elijah and Moses. Haven’t you ever seen a show you wanted to stay for? Are you the type who claps for an encore? Now imagine an encore greater than anything you have ever seen or experienced. Imagine the peace, the love, all the good sensations coming toward you as you place yourself among the three disciples. And you know this is not a movie or a production, everything is real! You have seen the glory, the beauty, the tranquility, and the certainty of God.
The transfiguration happens six days after Peter knows that Jesus is the Messiah, six days! The number six represents us as humans: our weakness, labour, and imperfection. Peter, and I as well, want to stay with God and hear God the Father affirm what Peter already knows: Jesus is His dear Son, and we must listen. Why wouldn’t we stay there? I am ready to sit and listen. Peter speaks from his heart: “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us make three shelters, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” The desire to remain there is not only Peter’s; it resonates deeply with my own. I have so many questions.
The number three also appears repeatedly: three disciples, and the presence of Jesus, Moses, and Elijah. In the Bible, the number three signifies divine perfection, completeness, and wholeness. So Peter’s idea, to stay close to Jesus, to listen to the Son, to seek completeness and wholeness, seems like the best option. To leave behind weakness, labour, and imperfection and remain in glory. I am ready to stay!
However, it is not the time or the place to remain. Jesus orders them not to tell anyone what they had seen and tells them they must wait until the Son of Man has risen from the dead. It is hard to understand that after such a vision of glory, Jesus must return to His labour, His duty, and fulfill the prophecies—not only showing that God sent His Son, but revealing that Jesus, His Son, is also fully human.
Jesus still has work to do: the hardest kind of labour, a sacrifice that will show love beyond anything imaginable. He chooses to share in our weakness. He becomes the Lamb of God. He must walk the path of suffering before entering glory.
And although Peter’s desire is to remain and listen to Jesus, duty comes first for Him. His sacrifice is what allows us to share in this vision. The Messiah must die and rise to open the path for us. Jesus’ humanity and divinity together lead us to God the Father, and here we see clearly why He is the way.
This year’s Renew Lent reflections are offered by participants in the Archdiocese of Regina’s Lay Formation Program, a journey of faith, prayer, and leadership development for parish ministry. Our next intake begins in Fall 2027. If you’d like to learn more, feel free to contact Deacon Eric Gurash at [email protected] or 306-721-6724.
