2nd Sunday of Lent (A)

Listen to Him…

MATTHEW 17:1–9

By Jemma Redman

This is such a powerful Scripture for all of us, who wish to experience great and marvellous things in our spiritual life. Here Jesus took Peter, James and John, his brother, on a spiritual journey, to a high mountain, far removed from the earthly realm below.

In that spiritual state of bliss, they witnessed the transfiguration, where the physical nature of Jesus, the man, changed. The Scripture said that, “his face shone like the sun and his clothes became as white as the light”. They witnessed the Son of God; they were chosen to receive that revelation. Many are called but few are chosen.

In addition to that awesome experience, we read that Moses and Elijah appeared and were talking with Him! What a sight! What could they be talking about?

But that was not Peter’s concern, for he was in awe having experienced the presence of the holy.

To see Jesus, the Son of God, talking with the elders: were they preparing Him for what was to come? God bringing together His total plan of salvation?

Here the Old Testament and the New came together in this amazing Gospel. The Scripture says that Jesus never came to abolish the old laws but to fulfil them, and here it is.

Too many times in our lives, we throw away the old, because we want the new, the modern and we lose our foundation, our history, our guide for the present and future. God says that He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Peter reminds me of us, he wanted them to stay on the mountain. He asked Jesus to put three tabernacles so  they could live there.

When we are so immersed in the presence of God, whether it is during a powerful praise and worship, or in our prayer time, or during Mass, or before the Blessed Sacrament, we want to stay there too. We don’t want to go back into the world; we just want to bask in that holy presence.

Suddenly, in the midst of this amazing moment, God Himself enters and overshadows the whole scene with His mighty power and says, “This is my Son, the Beloved; he enjoys my favour. Listen to him.”

God was pleased with Jesus’ obedience in talking with Moses and Elijah and heeding what they said to Him, hence the reason why God went on to tell the disciples, “Listen to Him.” Listen to what He has to tell you. Carry out His instructions which He will give you, in the appointed time, so His mission will be fulfilled.

For all of us who have been called by God, this Lenten season gives us a great opportunity to spend that quality time with our Lord, in prayer, fasting and no doubt, we too will see and experience miraculous revelations and visions, which will bring us into God’s presence and build a closer relationship with our Lord, our Savior, Jesus the Christ, and be told – “Listen to him.”

Jemma Redman is founder of Spirit Global, a spiritual support non-governmental organisation called ‘to walk with men and women’. She is the Artistic Director of The Drama Ministry for the Southern Vicariate, and for St Mary Magdalene RC Church, Houston, Texas.