Text – Mark 9:2-9:

2 Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, 3 and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach them.

4 And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, who were talking with Jesus. 5 Then Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 6 He did not know what to say, for they were terrified.

7 Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud there came a voice, “This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!” 8 Suddenly when they looked around, they saw no one with them anymore, but only Jesus.

9 As they were coming down the mountain, he ordered them to tell no one about what they had seen, until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead.

Lenten Meditation:

The subject of this text is the Transfiguration of Christ during which he is transformed, becoming bright and glorious in his appearance. It does not seem to be a subject appropriate for Lent. In fact, at the end of this occurrence, Jesus orders his disciples to not speak of it until after he was resurrected. Apparently, Jesus himself acknowledged that there were other things to consider in the time leading up to his suffering and death.

It is obvious that the disciples did not understand what they had just seen. If they had spoken about it, their witness would have been confused and confusing. It is also apparent that the full glory of Christ depended on His resurrection from the grave. In other words, it was necessary for Jesus and his disciples to pass through this dark valley in order to see and understand.

Lent prepares us for Easter – as we engage in self-reflection, penitence, and dwelling on the life, suffering, and death of Jesus.

Prayer:

Lord God, in the quiet and dark of Lent we give thanks to you for the model for life which we have been given in Christ Jesus. We now pause our lives as we prepare for the joyous celebration we call Easter. We learn from Jesus that the only way to light, joy, and freedom is to journey the way of the cross. Of death to self. Allowing ourselves to be transformed as the disciples were who witnessed your transfiguration. Now we ask you to transform us into the image of Christ in whom we pray. Amen.