Jesus took Peter, John, and James and went up the mountain to pray. While he was praying his face changed in appearance and his clothing became dazzling white. ~Luke 9:28b-29
This Sunday’s Gospel brings us to the mountain where Jesus was transfigured before Peter, James, and John. For centuries, saints, scholars, bishops and bloggers have considered the meaning of this moment that is a preamble to Jesus’s suffering, dying, and rising. I’ve assembled below the thoughts of two Church leaders who have pondered this mountaintop event: Pope Francis and Bishop Frank Caggiano. See what you think.
Pope Francis, Angelus Address, March 12, 2017: Transfigured on Mount Tabor, Jesus wanted to show his disciples his glory, not for them to circumvent the Cross, but to show where the Cross leads. Those who die with Jesus, shall rise again with Jesus. The Cross is the door to Resurrection. Whoever struggles alongside him will triumph with him. This is the message of hope contained in Jesus’ Cross, urging us to be strong in our existence. The Christian Cross is not the furnishings of a house or adornments to wear but rather, the Christian Cross is a call to the love with which Jesus sacrificed himself to save humanity from evil and sin. In this Lenten season, we contemplate with devotion the image of the Crucifix, Jesus on the Cross: this is the symbol of Christian Faith, the emblem of Jesus, who died and rose for us. Let us ensure that the Cross marks the stages of our Lenten journey in order to understand ever better the seriousness of sin and the value of the sacrifice by which the Saviour has saved us all.
Bishop Frank J. Caggiano, Homily, Second Sunday of Lent, 2024: And so, as I often ask you, allow me to ask you this question. Is there someone in your life that you know is carrying a cross and perhaps carrying it alone? Is there someone in your life or mine that we have been meaning to reach out to because chances are no one else would? Is there someone in this church right now that you’ve often asked yourself? You know what? I always see that person, but I don’t know their name. I would like to get to know them. Because by doing that, my friends, you will get to know not only a person’s name, but a person’s life and perhaps a person’s cross. Don’t you think it is time for you and me to walk up the mountain of the transfiguration with Christ alive in your heart and mind and lift the veil of glory and help someone else to see it so that they might have courage and faith in Him? Who here is ready? Go up the mountain with Jesus.
At all the Masses this weekend and on Monday afternoon and evening and Tuesday evening (for teens), Father Brendan Coffey, SJ, will share his musings on the Transfiguration of Jesus. I’m looking forward to hearing what he has to say as we contemplate going up the mountain with Jesus!
Hope your Lent is a blessing so far!
Welcome to the Saint Aloysius! Our parish was founded in 1896 to serve the Catholic families that were settling in the greater New Canaan area.