2ND SUNDAY OF LENT : THE TRANSFIGURATION - A FORESHADOWING OF JESUS' GLORIFICATION..........

Over a week and a half into the Springtime of the Church, we come to the 2nd Sunday of Lent. In the Sacred Scriptures today we hear from Genesis 15, of Abram, called by God to be Abraham, the Patriarch of God's Chosen People, and of the animal sacrifices he offers up to the Lord God; and from St. Paul reminding the Phillipians and all Christ's Disciples that our citizenship is both earrthly and heavenly, requiring our focus on the things to come in heaven, as well of being occupied with things here on earth; and the Gospel Proclamation from Luke 9:28b-36, shares the story of the Transfiguration of Jesus on the mountaintop in the presence of Peter, John, and James, which gives them a preview of His future glory. Our Lenten Repentance, Conversion, Sacrifice, and Self Denial, can also help transfigure us from sin and hopelessness, to the joy and the happiness of salvation. I have increasingly through the years preached on this blend of focuses for our Lenten observance. Not everyone agrees or is comfortable with the concepts of joy or happiness being preached or focused upon during the 40 Days of Lent, even though the official liturgical prayers, prefaces, and blessings in the Sacramentary we have celebrated Mass from since 1969, use them to describe our Lenten experiences, along with the penitential spirit of the season. And I point out to those who question me about it, that even if the former practices of the black fast and mortification were the sole focus, the Sundays of Lent, are still, "the First Day of the Week", the, "Day of the Resuurection", another "Little Easter Sunday", thus days of joy and happiness in the Lord. So let us be a Lenten People of God who value our Faith enough to do penance and change our lives, as much in heartfelt joy as in mortifying sorrow. With Paul and all true Disciples of Jesus Christ, let us live our citzenship on earth always remembering our citizenship in heaven, is God's desire for us. And during these 40 Days may we be transfigured with Christ, that is transformed in body and soul as believers in, and followers of, the Co-Eternal Son of God whose Transfiguration is a peek at the glorification, joy, and happiness, awaiting those who will experience the Resurrection..........May God Our Eternal Father, Who Is Our Light And Salvation, Keep Your Eyes Firmly Fixed On The Son Of God, Jesus The Christ, And The Everlasting Gift Of Citizenship In Heaven, Fr. Troy