"They spoke of his exodus that he was going to accomplish"

This Sunday's Gospel story, the Transfiguration of the Lord, is found in all three synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke). Within the story, we are told of Jesus taking three of his disciples (Peter, James, and John) up a mountain. Then suddenly, "While he was praying his face changed in appearance and his clothing became dazzling white. And behold, two men were conversing with him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his exodus that he was going to accomplish in Jerusalem."

Luke's version of this story (quoted above and which we will hear this Sunday) is the only one to include the details of what Moses and Elijah talked to Jesus about: "his exodus that he was going to accomplish in Jerusalem." It seems interesting that, when the Son of God meets with the great giver of the law (Moses) and the great prophet (Elijah), their topic of conversation is Jesus' impending suffering and death. Only a few verses before this story, Jesus lays out the cost of discipleship, telling his disciples that, "If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." (Luke 9:23) And now, only a little while later, Moses and Elijah are discussing Jesus' own need to "take up his cross" in Jerusalem.

There is comfort to be had in recognizing that Jesus is not asking us to do something that he himself, in his humanity, didn't do. He took up his cross and endured much out of love for humanity. And he reminds us that we will encounter our own experiences of suffering, our own crosses, every single day. But history shows us that the Father, in His infinite goodness, can bring good even out of the heaviest of crosses and darkest of moments. He brought forth the salvation of the world and the hope of eternal life from his Son's cross; he can bring good things from our crosses too.

So let us pray this week that, as we continue forward in our Lenten journeys of faith, we may remember the daily reality of being a Christian. Our lives are filled with moments of great joy and excitement as well as moments of sorrow and suffering. May we recognize God's presence and grace in all of these moments, and allow him to transform our lives especially in the midst of our daily crosses. For, it is in the midst of these daily crosses when we are most closely connected with the Savior, who by his own cross redeemed the world.

Want to prepare your heart and mind for Sunday's Mass? Click here to find the readings.