Preview of Coming Attractions

We’ve just come down from the mountain. The Second Sunday of Lent presents us with the Transfiguration of Jesus on Mount Tabor. But what goes up must come down, and this event is no exception. From Mount Tabor they go to Jerusalem. Jesus sets his face toward Jerusalem where he will suffer and die. Why would the Church present us with the Transfiguration just as we begin the season of the passion?

 

I think it’s because we could never survive the rest of Lent if we didn’t know how the story will end. We’re given a preview of the ending. Jesus shines. He shows himself as the Light of the World. But all hell is going to break loose to snuff out that Light. These three poor apostles have no idea what they are in for. What they experienced on the mountain will be eclipsed: The Son will be darkened by death.

 

There is a method in the Church’s madness. Like the Beloved in the Song of Songs, she will go searching for her Lover. The sight of his face is fixed in her memory, and despite the darkness she will go looking for him. She will not be disappointed. She will find him, cling to him, and not want to let go.

 

The Church turns to John’s Gospel during these weeks of Lent, as it does each year. Ever wonder why? John writes as ‘the disciple that Jesus loved.’ Perhaps the Church is trying to say, “That’s you…put those glasses on as you read these Gospel texts.” The cleansing of the temple, the one so loved, ourselves as that little grain of wheat…how is this me?

 

If we look a little deeper, this really is our story…not just for Lent, but for life. In the first fervor of our newly found relationship with Christ Jesus, we too want to stay on the mountain and build our shrine there. But then all the lights go out, and he is gone…no sweetness in prayer, no emotional highs. Just the drab day-to-day slugging it out. Our faith is sorely tested. Maybe it was all an illusion…maybe I’m just fooling myself…

But we remember that face full of light, and we hang on, whistling in the dark of our faith. Now and then we have our little Easters. But for now we too will have to set our faces toward Jerusalem, and the horrors of Holy Week. What keeps us steady is the preview of coming attractions.

 

Jesus, you shine!

I need to take a long loving look.

The roller coaster of my life takes a downward dive,

often when I least expect.

Will I survive?

Yes.

Your face is a mirror of what I shall be.