2nd
Sunday of Lent
Cycle B
February 25, 2018
A Parishioner Transformed
In
one of the parishes where I was pastor, I began to notice a man who would sometimes
come to Mass.
For
our purposes today, let’s just call him Wayne.
He appeared to be a few years younger than I am.
Wayne
had long, almost shoulder-length hair and always wore a baseball cap. He dressed in jeans and a tee-shirt or sweat
shirt.
I wondered
who Wayne was and I perceived him as a bit different from most people his age. And then, one day I got to meet him.
We
talked and before long we started to meet together at times over a coffee and a
bagel in the morning. I discovered a
person with a rich life experience – a marine who had served in Vietnam, a
husband and father of four children.
I
discovered a person who read and thought deeply about things and was every bit
my match intellectually. In fact, he has
a Doctorate in International Studies.
He
and I have become good friends. So, Wayne
was always Wayne, but my perception of him really got transformed.
Jesus Transformed
This
personal experience helps me to appreciate what happens in today’s gospel.
Peter,
James, and John had already seen a lot of Jesus. They and others were amazed at his wisdom and
insight in the synagogue. (Mark 1.27)
They
had already seen him heal a paralyzed man.
To that, some people said, “We
have never seen anything like this.” (Mark 2.12)
They
had seen him calm the stormy sea. They
themselves had said, “Who is this that
even the wind and the sea obey him?” (Mark 4.41)
So,
they had seen all of this, but they still didn’t really get it. They still didn’t see him for who he really was.
And
then it suddenly happens on this mountain.
It all comes together for them, something like my experience with Wayne.
They
see him as the One who brings to fulfillment the Ten Commandments that Moses
had given. They see him as the One
promised by the prophet Elijah.
They
even see him as the beloved Son of God.
They finally get it.
This
is the divine, it is God breaking into the world in this person. So, much as with me and my friend Wayne,
Jesus was still the same Jesus, but now the disciples’ perception of him is
transformed and they see him for who he really is.
Our Transformation
This
transformation in the disciples’ perception leads me to this idea.
We
are to see our time on earth as a continual process of transformation. We are to keep our eyes on Jesus and allow
ourselves to be transformed little by little into his likeness.
This
work is life-long and it ends only when someday we see God face to face. This, I believe, is the way to understand our
earthly journey and very importantly, it is also the way for us to look at one
another.
None
of us is finished with our transformation in Christ. The important thing for all of us is that we
are looking at Jesus – as Peter, James and John were – and that we are in the
process of being transformed.
Pope Francis and
Transformation
One
final idea!
I
think this understanding of our need for ongoing transformation lies behind
Pope Francis’ basic approach. And I find his approach very refreshing.
This
is why Pope Francis does not judge people.
He made that now famous statement: “Who
am I to judge?”
This
is why he is reluctant to draw insider/outsider boundaries. It’s why he is reluctant to exclude people
from being an active part of the Church.
Instead,
Pope Francis looks beyond differences and looks more deeply at people. He sees himself – and I think he is urging us
to see ourselves – as one with others, regardless of differences.
He
is calling us to see everyone – beginning with ourselves – as in the process of
being transformed in Christ. If we are,
that’s enough.
We
can gather here and pray and worship together – one in Christ. So, that’s my take on today’s gospel!
