Second Sunday of Lent:

The Transfiguration of Christ

The Transfiguration of Jesus is an event reported by the Synoptic Gospels in which Jesus was transfigured upon a mountain (Matthew 17:1-6, Mark 9:1-8, Luke 9:28-36). The original Greek term in the Gospels is metamorphothe, describing Jesus as having undergone metamorphosis. The Gospels state that Jesus led three of his apostles - Peter, John the Apostle, and James the Great - to pray at the top of a mountain. Once at the top, Jesus became transfigured, his face shining like the sun, and his clothes a brilliant white. They claim that Elijah and Moses suddenly appeared with Jesus and talked with him; Matthew and Mark do not say what the conversation was about, but Luke states that it was about Jesus’ future death. Once they had spoken with each other, the Gospels state that a bright cloud overshadowed them (Luke also says they entered into the cloud), and a voice from the cloud proclaimed, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased,” paralleling a similar event during the Baptism of Jesus. However, this time the voice adds, “Hear him.” Icon of the Transfiguration: Traditionally, the event was considered to have literally happened, and it was believed that the event took place on Mount Tabor. Some modern scholars, however, together with the ancient gnostics, believe that the Synoptic Gospels were originally meant to be understood allegorically. Moses and Elijah have been interpreted to represent the Law and the Prophets respectively, and their recognition and conversation with Jesus symbolizing how Jesus fulfills “the law and the prophets”

In the narrative, after the cloud dissipates, Elijah and Moses disappear, and Jesus and the three Apostles head down the mountain, Jesus telling his Apostles to keep the event a secret until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. The Apostles are described as questioning among themselves as to what Jesus meant by “risen from the dead” (Mark 9:9-10) The Apostles are also described as questioning Jesus about Elijah, and he as responding ...Elijah comes first, and restores all things ... but ... Elijah has come indeed ... (Mark 9:12-13). It was commonly believed that Elijah would reappear before the coming of the Messiah, as predicted in the Book of Malachi (Malachi 4), and the three Apostles are described as interpreting Jesus’ statement as a reference to John the Baptist. 2 Peter and the Gospel of John briefly allude to the event in their writings (2 Peter 1:16-18, John 1:14). Peter describes himself as an eyewitness of his sovereign majesty

The Scrutinies

The scrutinies are mainly for the “elect” (catechumens become “elect” after the Rite

of Election at the beginning of Lent). But the faithful are encouraged to join in the scrutinizes to also benefit from them. We are all in need of conversion throughout our lives, so we join with the “elect” in scrutinizing our lives and pray for the grace to overcome the power of sin that infects our hearts.

The scrutinies, which are solemnly celebrated on Sundays and are reinforced by an exorcism, are rites of self-searching and repentance and have above all a spiritual purpose. The scrutinies are meant to uncover, then heal all that is weak, defective, or sinful in the hearts of the elect; to bring out, then strengthen all that is upright, strong, and good. For the scrutinies are celebrated in order to deliver the elect from the power of sin and Satan, to protect them against temptation, and to give them strength in Christ, who is the way, the truth, and the life. These rites, therefore, should complete the conversion of the elect and deepen their resolve to hold fast to Christ and to carry out their decision to love God above all.” In order to inspire in the elect a desire for purification and redemption by Christ, three scrutinies are celebrated. By this means, first of all, the elect are instructed gradually about the mystery of sin, from which the whole world and every person longs to be delivered and thus saved from its present and future consequences. Second, their spirit is filled with Christ the Redeemer, who is the living water (gospel of the Samaritan woman in the first scrutiny), the light of the world (gospel of the man born blind in the second scrutiny), the resurrection and the life (gospel of Lazarus in the third scrutiny). From the first to the final scrutiny the elect should progress in their perception of sin and their desire for salvation.”