We begin this second week of Lent with an inspiring passage from the Gospel of Matthew known as the Transfiguration (Matt. 17: 1-9). 

 

Jesus took three of His disciples, Peter, James and John, to the top of a mountain. While they were there, Jesus was transfigured before them; His face shone like the sun and His clothes became white as light.

 

They also experienced the presence of Moses and Elijah. Suddenly, the three disciples became part of an extraordinary event.

 

One of their reactions is fear. Seeing Moses and Elijah — who were already dead — and listening to the voice of God the Father surely caused some chills! 

 

However, Jesus’ presence calmed them down; Jesus’ presence reassured them that things were fine. Jesus transformed their fear into confidence. 

 

How often we experience fear. How often fear takes away the person’s capacity to act. 

 

Do not face fear alone. Invite Jesus to be your companion in those moments of fear. With Jesus, you will have the capacity to transform fear into confidence and action.  

 

Another reaction we notice among the disciples is a great calm and peace. This great calm is what motivated Peter to say, “Lord, it is good that we are here. Let us build three tents.” In other words, Peter wanted that mystical moment to last longer. The presence of God was so delightful that they just wanted to remain in His divine presence. 

 

Maybe you can relate to that type of experience. Maybe you attend Mass regularly and have some type of prayer every day, but do not truly feel the presence of God every time. I am sure, then, that you can also recall moments when it was so delightful to be in prayer, to be at Mass — so much so that when Mass ended you felt disappointed precisely because you wanted that beautiful moment to last longer.