Transfigured by Goodness, Not Disfigured by Sin (Lent II)

On this second Sunday of Lent we hear the story of Jesus' transfiguration. Of that moment on Mount Tabor when Peter, James and John see Jesus in his glory, flanked by Moses and Elijah. It is a story that situates Jesus firmly in the salvation history of Israel, but there is something in this story that is often overlooked.

In the Book of Numbers we are told that, because Moses failed to trust in the Lord at Meribah, he would not enter into the promised land with the Israelites. Yet here he is standing with Jesus, conversing with Him.

Another thing that strikes me about the transfiguration is that, for all the ways in which the Synoptic Gospels differ from one another, their accounts of this moment are remarkably consistent. Matthew, Mark and Luke all situate Jesus on the mountain. All three tell us that Peter, James and John were there. And all three tell us that Jesus' glory was revealed to them in brilliant light.

But what does seeing Jesus in His glory mean? What did they see?

God's glory is variously described as beauty, splendour, and honour. In other words, God is pretty good. And I don't mean that as faint praise, but as the essential quality of God - goodness, holiness, wholeness.

In his letter to Timothy, St Paul tells us that this is what we are called to as well, holiness - a wholeness of body and spirit. And, that the way in which we can realise this wholeness is in the same way the disciples did - by following the revealed example of goodness (God-ness) that is Jesus. 

Put simply, we are meant to be transfigured by goodness, not disfigured by sin.

As we enter into this second week of Lent I reflect on what would show of me if the same brilliant light was shone on my life. How much of my essential goodness would be marked with dark spots of impatience, anger, pettiness, or self-centredness.

I recognise that I have much to repent for, but hearing the story of Jesus' transfiguration again renews the hope in me that, like Moses, we are never truly lost to God. That God's mercy is greater than my own weakness, if I am humble enough to seek it.