If you’re in a job that’s monotonous or demanding, it helps to get a raise, or simply an affirmation from your boss. If you’re in a family where things are hectic and there’s always members going in different directions, it helps to have a family vacation or even just a spontaneous gathering.
So, too, in today’s Gospel, as Jesus takes three of his disciples up the mountain to pray — disciples who no doubt were still trying to understand things — it was more than helpful to have Jesus transfigured in their presence. His power, authority and glory were all established, and presumably the disciples would be strengthened for future hardship and difficulty.
In Lent, we have a Sunday two weeks from now called Laetare Sunday, where the vestments are pink and the theme is meant to be celebratory in the midst of this otherwise penitential and austere season. I don’t know about you, but the color pink doesn’t automatically do that for me.
I would make the case that this is the Sunday — because of the Gospel — when we are reminded of the big picture and the glory, that we are given an uplifting boost to continue along in our Lenten practices.
It can also be a Sunday when we try to put ourselves in better position to experience transformation ourselves. For example, we can ask ourselves, what are the channels of grace that I’ve known in my life? Is it immersion in nature? Time spent with loved ones? Prayer? Service to those in need? Being in the presence of art or other beauty? Then this would be the week, or the day, to more intentionally place ourselves in an activity with one of these proven channels.
For sure, the Gospel today calls us to attentiveness. “Listen to him,” says the voice from the cloud. Attentiveness is almost always its own reward, and, in the light of faith, the door to transformation.