Let us not grow tired of doing good.

Dear Parish Family,

Today marks an interesting moment in the season of Lent. Every year on the Second Sunday of Lent the Church takes the time to focus on the mystery of the Transfiguration. We properly celebrate this Feast every August 6, but we also have it here towards the beginning of our Lenten journey. Why?

The Transfiguration of Jesus points forward to his Resurrection. Yet, it is made abundantly clear by Jesus that he will need to suffer and die as a critical part of his mission. In fact, it is the defining aspect of his mission: to take on our brokenness completely, to bury it, and rise victorious over it. The Resurrection is the point. And he shows his glory, the glory of his divinity, the glory of Resurrection, beforehand to his apostles so that they can better manage the reality of his death. Because it is not the end.

Peter, James, and John go up the mountain. They experience Jesus’ glory, and they come down the mountain to continue their journey. This is us too. We continue through our lives, with all of its ups and downs, to reach the goal of union with God. There will be moments of consolation when we are reminded why we are living for Christ, and it will be these moments of the clear inbreaking of God that are meant to keep us encouraged and motivated. Moments of Transfiguration. Let’s thank God for them, hold them tight, and know that even though we have to come back down the mountain and things will be hard at times, it is all meant to end in glory.

Peace.

-Fr. Kennell