A daily encounter with Christ

The readings for our celebration today speak to us, each in its own way, of the gift of what we hold most dear: Abraham, who, in faith, because God asks him to, must sacrifice his son. Paul, who tells us, in his own way, that the Covenant can only be established if we give everything: "God did not spare his own Son… how could he, with him, not give us everything?" And this is what is accomplished on the cross! God who gives himself through the Son to seal the new covenant in sacrifice. And this, in a moment of revelation and intimacy such as Peter wants to prolong, since not only is Christ "transfigured… but he speaks with Elijah and Moses."

Brothers and sisters, how can we welcome this moment of awe experienced by Peter and his two companions? Christ is transfigured before them! In the presence of Moses and Elijah. Everything about him indicates that he is indeed the Son of God. Moreover, the Gospel text tells us, "a voice was heard saying, 'This is my beloved Son; listen to him.'"

As we understand it, the story of the transfiguration is a story that reveals to us that in Jesus the whole of the Old Testament is fulfilled; and at the resurrection, it is the Law and the Prophets that will bear witness to what has just been accomplished.

The transfiguration thus announces to us that all those who, like Moses and Elijah, have encountered Christ in their lives, are called to rise again with him, for he has given us everything.

Brothers and sisters, transfiguration is the state of life of every baptized person! The time of Lent is there to help us become aware of this, that is to say, to rediscover this inner light that we received at baptism.

Let us, brothers and sisters, be invited by the Lord today to join him on the Mount of Transfiguration to experience a heart-to-heart with him. Thus, this Lenten season will be for us a time of daily encounter with the Lord, where we will dare to see ourselves as we truly are before him; and where we too, like Peter, James, and John, can tell Jesus how happy we are to be with him: “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here! Let us put up shelters…” to prolong this moment of joy with you! Amen.

Homily of Father Paul

Parish priest of Lasne

2nd Sunday of Lent

February 25, 2024