Homily Notes Second Sunday of Lent

Second Sunday of Lent

“Life is difficult.” These are the first words of Scott Peck’s book The Road Less Traveled. He believes that the main problem that human beings face is that we think that somehow life should be easy. Or, we believe that everyone else’s life is easy but mine is not. If we believe that life is a struggle, expecting that, then we will be a lot better off, according to Peck. We are then being realistic.

When we read the story of the Transfiguration it is good to remember when this event happened in the Gospel of Matthew. A few paragraphs before this account, two significant things happen. One is that Jesus asks the question. “Who do people say that I am?” And the disciples struggle for an answer. Simon Peter, of course, comes up with the answer. “You are the Messiah. The Son of the Living God.” Jesus compliments him for his answer.

But then the second important revelation happens. Jesus predicts his Passion, that he must suffer, die and rise again. Peter again speaks up, saying that this must not happen. Jesus then rebukes Peter.

He goes on to reveal the Doctrine of the Cross. He tells the disciples that not only is he going to suffer, but those who follow him must take up their own cross when the time comes. All of this had to be very sobering to the apostles. Jesus was telling them, if you follow me, life is going to be difficult if you follow me.

And this leads into the story we have today of the Transfiguration. Peter, James and John go up to the mountain with Jesus. What happens on that mountain? We could say everyone there had a mystical experience. The experience strengthened the followers of Jesus so that they might face the doctrine of the cross. If we have ever had such an experience maybe we can identify with what the apostles felt at that moment.

I remember certain episodes in my life that have strengthened me. I have visited Rome twice. The second time I stayed at Carmelite residence near St. Peter’s. I had a good visit. The last afternoon I was in Rome I went up on the roof of the building which had a great view of the Basilica of St. Peter. I was reflecting, wondering whether my life had been well spent. I went to Rome because it was the 25th anniversary of my priesthood. As I was reflecting, the sun was going down. For a few brief moments, the sun caught the gilded cross on the top of St. Peter’s and it glowed brightly. I was warmed by what I saw at that moment. A few minutes before or after I would not have seen what I did. Somehow it seemed like the glowing cross was a message that was directed right at me. I felt reassured. Certainly, this is a small measure of the reassurance the apostles felt at the Transfiguration

But what are we to do with such experiences. The voice from heaven gives us a clue. “This is my divine Son, listen to him.” We are not just supposed to feel reassured we are to listen to Jesus. We are to act on our belief. We are to imitate Jesus. All this is so very important.

Emily Esfahani Smith a psychologist wrote an interesting piece on what we should wish for in life. She said that what we are told in life is that the goal of life is to be happy. At the Baptism classes I teach four times a year I will ask parents what they wish for their children. I can be sure of one answer. The thing that at least one set of parents always says is that they just wish that their child will be happy in life. Emily Esfahni Smith points out in her writing that believing that the goal of life is to be happy, ironically, often leads to unhappiness in life.

She says that research has shown that what makes us happy as we live life is that we have meaning in life. We can best derive meaning from four sources she says; family, work, nature, God. She says that we need to connect to a narrative for our life that makes sense. Christianity teaches that the meaning of life revolves around getting to know God more each day. The goal of life is fall in love with God. The Christian derives purpose from serving God. And ultimately, we look forward to living with God for all eternity. We know that story line has made sense to innumerable Christians throughout the ages.

The probable for many people today is that they feel life is meaningless. Is life that way or is there a problem with listening? Listening to the message of Jesus. Life is difficult. But if life has purpose life is satisfying. Jesus revealed his inner life to the disciples on the Mount Tabor. The experienced transfigured him. The question is will we let our Christian story transform us?

Please note, this is a rough draft. Grammar may not be perfect.