One of the first things I learned in Catholic school back in the Bronx was that I am made in the image and likeness of God. In my child-mind, I originally took this to mean that God had eyes, ears, a nose, and possibly wore glasses. But as I grew and matured in my faith, I came to understand that God is not a man or a woman or a collection of body parts. God is Love. And that to be in the image and likeness of God simply means to be like God; to be Love - pure unconditional Love.
The Gospel for the Second Sunday of Lent tells us how Jesus was transfigured and revealed to his friends as that pure unconditional Love. On that mountaintop and for a brief moment in time, Jesus’ closest friends were able to see who he really was. And, by extension, to catch a glimpse of what each of us is ultimately called to be.
The word ‘transfiguration’ defines a spiritual process: a process by which someone or something undergoes a complete change of form or appearance into its most integrated, peaceful and beautiful state. As Christians we are called into that process. Like base metal is transformed into gold by the process of alchemy, each of us is called to be transfigured, to be molded into a pattern revealed by Jesus.
Jesus reveals that pattern throughout the gospels. He tells us that whatever we do for the least of others, we are doing for him. He calls us to love our neighbor; and then defines our neighbor to be everyone. He calls us to turn the other cheek, to forgive and love those who have hurt us. He invites us to sell our most precious possessions and to give to the poor. He urges us to trust that God will always take care of us; to be like the lilies of the field and the sparrows on the wing and not unduly worry about tomorrow.
There is no room in this pattern for anger or bitterness. There is no room for self-centeredness. God is Love. And each of us is called to be transfigured into that Love - just like Jesus was. Like a wave rises up in the ocean only to return back home into the sea, each of us is called to return back home to God, the Source of all goodness and love.
Lent is a good time to reflect on where we are in that return journey. It is a good time for us to remember who we are and why we are here. We are called to be the image and likeness of God for each other. We are called to be transfigured, transfigured into God’s Love.
The Gospel for the Second Sunday of Lent tells us how Jesus was transfigured and revealed to his friends as that pure unconditional Love. On that mountaintop and for a brief moment in time, Jesus’ closest friends were able to see who he really was. And, by extension, to catch a glimpse of what each of us is ultimately called to be.
The word ‘transfiguration’ defines a spiritual process: a process by which someone or something undergoes a complete change of form or appearance into its most integrated, peaceful and beautiful state. As Christians we are called into that process. Like base metal is transformed into gold by the process of alchemy, each of us is called to be transfigured, to be molded into a pattern revealed by Jesus.
Jesus reveals that pattern throughout the gospels. He tells us that whatever we do for the least of others, we are doing for him. He calls us to love our neighbor; and then defines our neighbor to be everyone. He calls us to turn the other cheek, to forgive and love those who have hurt us. He invites us to sell our most precious possessions and to give to the poor. He urges us to trust that God will always take care of us; to be like the lilies of the field and the sparrows on the wing and not unduly worry about tomorrow.
There is no room in this pattern for anger or bitterness. There is no room for self-centeredness. God is Love. And each of us is called to be transfigured into that Love - just like Jesus was. Like a wave rises up in the ocean only to return back home into the sea, each of us is called to return back home to God, the Source of all goodness and love.
Lent is a good time to reflect on where we are in that return journey. It is a good time for us to remember who we are and why we are here. We are called to be the image and likeness of God for each other. We are called to be transfigured, transfigured into God’s Love.
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Readers of this blog might enjoy these books by Deacon Lex. They are available on Amazon.com:
Just to Follow My Friend: Experiencing God’s Presence in Everyday Life
The Gospel of You, The Gospel of Me: Making Christ Present in Everyday Life
Synchronicity as the Work of the Holy Spirit: Jungian Insights for Spiritual Direction and Pastoral Ministry
