Sunday Reflection - 2nd Sunday Lent - Who is Jesus?

Who is Jesus?

Genesis 22:1-2, 9a, 10-13, 15-18; Psalm 116:10, 15, 16-17, 18-19; Romans 8:31b-34; Mark 9:2-10

The word transfigured is a big word that means transformed or to be changed.  We hear about the transfiguration of Jesus today.  But was he transfigured or were those around him transformed?

So before I begin, I want to ask each to think about something. If someone came to you on the street and asked this question “Who is Jesus?”  How would you answer?

Would you tell them about Jesus' life and what he did? The story may start with you explaining that he was born of a virgin in a manger.  Maybe, you would say Jesus was a great teacher and then go into some detail about what he said. The description you use may be that he came to save us and then continue with the miracles, the healing of the sick, and casting out demons. You would tell how he was crucified, died and was buried but rose from the dead.

These are all great answers; but not many people would come straight out and answer "Jesus is God."

Not even Peter could give this answered when Jesus asked him, “Who do you say that I am?” It took a trip to a mountain to pray to open the apostles’ eyes.

Let me tell you a little about that day on the Mountain. Peter, James, and John went with Jesus to the mountain to pray. The disciples saw Moses and Elijah with Jesus.  Remember from the Old Testament that Moses and Elijah often went to the mountain to pray. On the mountain they saw God; not his face, but as God was passing by. They did not look upon his face. Jesus was transfigured and his clothes became dazzling white. On that mountain that day, Moses and Elijah looked upon the face of God.

Lent is a time for us to be transformed. Transfigured into someone who gives our self in obedience and service to God. We do this as husbands, wives, parents, children, friends, strangers, travelers, business people, or what ever definition meets the parameters of life. If we give ourselves totally and not withhold anything from God, we can be transformed.

In the transfiguration, Jesus gives all to God because Jesus is God. He is the beloved, the second person of the Trinity. In fact, the early Church Fathers said that it is in Christ’s image and likeness we were created; so that like Jesus we can give all to God and be his beloved adopted children.

But this is hard.  Sometimes in life, we are being tested. God is asking so much. We look around and see so much suffering and bad in the world. The ones that we love hurt. The ones we love are suffering, sick, or in pain. The world hurts and is constantly stricken with the plague of violence.

Abraham and Isaac knew the same things that we know today. They probably could relate to the words of the Psalm; I kept my faith even though I was greatly afflicted. God is asking us for same thing asked of Abraham and Isaac: surrender all to God. Abraham was willing surrendered his son and Isaac his life. They were rewarded because they did not withhold anything from God.

God doesn’t withhold from us, sacrificing his Son. Jesus did not withhold anything from us giving us his life. In Jesus, God did not withhold anything from us. 

Are we holding back?  Maybe we don’t know that we are. At the end of a meeting with my Spiritual Director, the last thing he said was “Remember Jesus, remember Jesus is God.” That’s the only thing I remember from that visit. The thing I needed to remember.

Lent is the time for us to come to know “Who is Jesus?” Lent is the time for us to be transformed and recreated by Jesus to become completely obedient to God.  We can be transfigured from our dull human selves into dazzling new creations.

“Who is Jesus?” Transformed, we can answer: "Jesus is God."