Heeding God the Father's Advice

by Fr. Roger J. Landry - February 20, 2005

Gospel Passage

Matt. 17:1 Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. 2 And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. 3 Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. 4 Then Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." 5 While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, "This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!" 6 When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. 7 But Jesus came and touched them, saying, "Get up and do not be afraid." 8 And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone. 9 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, "Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead."

Brief Commentary

The dramatic scene of the Transfiguration charts the Church's spiritual itinerary for the Second Week of Lent. From a cloud, God the Father says so much with so few words.

He first removes all doubt about Jesus' identity: "This is my beloved Son!" Then he tells us our only adequate response: "Listen to him!"

At first glance, it was a strange imperative to come from the eternal Father. Had not Peter, James and John been with Jesus for many months, listening to what he said in synagogues, preached on mountainsides, and taught from boats?

But the Father knew that they were selectively listening to his Son. They were particularly tone deaf to Jesus' most challenging words, that he was soon to suffer and be put to death.

Faith comes from hearing (Rom 10:17). To grow in faith this Lent, we need to listen more attentively to the voice of the Good Shepherd. Jesus "calls his own sheep by name and leads them out…. They follow him because they know his voice" (cf. John 10:3-4).

As the Good Shepherd leaves the Mount of Transfiguration to climb Mount Calvary to lay down his life for his sheep, he calls us by name to follow him up that Lenten path.

May we "listen to him" with alertness and follow him with alacrity.

Father Roger J. Landry is pastor of St. Anthony of Padua in New Bedford, MA and Executive Editor of The Anchor, the weekly newspaper of the Diocese of Fall River.