Second Sunday of Lent (Year C) - The Transfiguration

 

Homily: Listening to the Chosen Son (Luke 9:28-36)

Second Sunday of Lent (Year C)

Today’s Gospel from Luke takes us up a mountain—a place of prayer, revelation, and awe.

 

It’s the story of the Transfiguration, where Jesus gives Peter, James, and John a glimpse of His divine glory.

 

Let’s walk through this together and see what it means for us.

Jesus leads these three disciples up a high mountain to pray.

 

Now, mountains in Scripture are special places—think of Moses on Sinai or Elijah hearing God’s still, small voice.

 

This mountain is no different.

 

As Jesus prays, something incredible happens:

 

His face changes, His clothes turn dazzling white, and suddenly Moses and Elijah are there, talking with Him about His “exodus”—His journey through suffering and death to resurrection.

 

Then, a cloud envelops them, and God’s voice declares, “This is my chosen Son; listen to Him.”

Imagine being Peter, James, or John in that moment.

 

Luke tells us they were heavy with sleep—maybe exhausted from the climb or the whirlwind of following Jesus.

 

But they wake up to this!

 

Peter, ever impulsive, says, “Master, it’s good that we’re here.

 

Let’s build three tents!”

 

He wants to stay, to preserve this glorious moment.

 

And who can blame him?

 

When we encounter God’s presence—whether in a powerful prayer, a kind act, or the peace of this Mass—don’t we want to hold onto it too?

But the Transfiguration isn’t just a spectacle.

 

It’s a revelation.

 

Moses, the giver of the Law, and Elijah, the great prophet, stand with Jesus, showing He’s the fulfillment of all God promised.

 

The dazzling light points to His divinity and the glory of the resurrection.

 

And that voice from the cloud?

 

It’s a command for them—and for us:

“Listen to Him.”

This isn’t just about hearing words; it’s about letting Jesus shape our lives.

Now, let’s bring this down the mountain into our world.

 

We might not see Jesus transfigured in front of us, but we’re still part of this story.

 

Think about your own “mountain moments”—times when God breaks through.

 

Maybe it’s when you hold your child for the first time, or when you feel unexplainable peace amid chaos, or when the Eucharist touches your soul in a new way.

 

These are echoes of the Transfiguration, glimpses of God’s love and power.

But here’s the catch: like the disciples, we don’t stay on the mountain.

 

After this vision, Jesus leads them back down—back to the messiness of life, to the crowds, to the road to the cross.

 

That’s our path too.

 

The glory we see here at Mass isn’t meant to be hoarded; it’s meant to strengthen us for the valleys—those places where we face hardship, doubt, or the daily grind.

 

The Transfiguration reminds us that Jesus is with us, shining even when we can’t see it.

I love how human the disciples are in this story.

 

They’re sleepy, stumbling, unsure what to say.

 

Sound familiar?

 

We can be spiritually drowsy too—distracted by screens, worries, or busyness.

 

Yet God still speaks.

 

Peter didn’t fully understand the Transfiguration until later, after the resurrection.

 

Sometimes, we don’t get it in the moment either.

 

But God is patient.

 

He keeps calling us to wake up, to listen, to trust.

So, what does “listening to Him” look like for us today?

 

Maybe it’s carving out time for prayer instead of rushing through our day.

 

Maybe it’s forgiving someone when it’s hard, because Jesus calls us to mercy.

Or maybe it’s trusting Him when the road ahead feels steep and uncertain.

 

Whatever it is, the Father’s command is clear: Jesus is the Chosen Son, the one worth following.

As we celebrate this Eucharist, let’s ask for the grace to climb our own mountains with Jesus—to seek Him in prayer, to see His glory in our lives, and to carry that light back down into the world.

 

The Transfiguration isn’t just a story from long ago; it’s an invitation now.

 

So, let’s wake up, listen to Him, and let His love transform us.

Amen.