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Institute for Homiletics

A Collaboration of The Catholic Foundation and the University of Dallas

Second Sunday of Lent

Awakened by the Light

Ever since that night on the mountain, I, John, have been awestruck by light. 

Jesus was up the hill in prayer. I drifted in and out of sleep. Peter snored. James wheezed. From the corner of my eye, I saw brightness through the trees. “What is that?” my half-awake brain wondered.  I nudged Peter and James. We looked. Jesus was glowing. I thought  groggily, “Does he always shine like that when he prays?” We crept closer. 

Suddenly, the night sky above the mountain burst into flame as if something was on fire. But nothing was being burned. I was fully awake now! That light emanated from within Jesus, brighter than any light that I have ever seen. Two others were alight there also,  speaking with the Lord. Peter mumbled about tents. A thick cloud descended on us. A voice thundered. 

It all happened so fast. Then . . . like a mist that lifts from the water,  nothing. Just Jesus, still praying. The night felt so dark after that light.  I was stunned. I could not speak. The place where we were standing was holy ground. 

Now, after all these years, it only takes a sparkle of ordinary light to reawaken that glory. When I see the glistening of the morning, my heart remembers and shivers. As I watch the moonlight on the ocean,  my lungs swell with burning. When I look at the stars, so bright,  here on this island, I feel as though I could explode with joy. I am no longer half asleep to his radiance; I am fully awake. I see that all that he created is alive with his life, his presence! And his life is the light of us all! 

My people tell me that my face glows when I pray. How could it not? I have seen the Light of the world! And the darkness cannot overcome it!

Consider/Discuss 

  • Abram saw the light of the stars and trembled at God’s promise. St. Paul was thrown to the ground and saw the light of Jesus; from then on, he fervently worked for the heavenly kingdom. What glimpses of light have awakened you to God? How have those flashes of glory transformed you and changed the course of your life? 
  • Sleep is good. Deep slumber is healthy. Yet even in darkness, behind our eyelids, we can be awake to the presence of the Lord. As a Lenten training exercise, as you are falling asleep this week, take a few moments to enter into that darkness within you and allow the light of God to shine in your inner space. How does God want to glow within you as you pray? 

Living and Praying with the Word 

Lord, I have been in a bit of a stupor, resting my weary head.  Spiritual sleep has threatened to overtake me. Awaken me this day!  You are my light and my salvation! Strengthen my eyesight to see  you. All that is bright is in you; all that glistens is in you; all that  sparkles is yours. Flash! Shine! Dispel my drowsiness! Gleam upon  me this day, God of glory!

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Scripture Study for

God’s solemn oath to give the land to which he has brought Abram to his descendants takes places within a covenant ceremony well known from ancient sources (see Jeremiah 34:17–20). Ordinarily,  each party to the covenant made his oath to the other while walking through the cut-up animals, which represent his fate if he violates the covenant. It is highly significant that here only God (represented by the smoking pot and flaming torch) makes the oath; the story emphasizes that Abram is fast asleep. This makes it clear that this is not an ordinary covenant in which each party takes on obligations toward the other. This is a gracious and unilateral gift from God to  Abram’s descendants. Abram’s sole responsibility here is to put his faith in God’s promises, which he does. 

Just before the present passage from Philippians, Paul has recounted his own movement from a pious Jew who was a zealous observer of the Law to one who had come to believe that righteousness came only from faith in Christ. He has accordingly given up his former way of life and has accepted suffering for the sake of Christ. He still strains toward the goal of perfect maturity, which is perfect conformity with  Christ (3:4–16). It is this striving that Paul would have his audience imitate, seeking always to overcome those desires and attitudes which make one an “enemy of the cross of Christ,” satisfying one’s selfish  pursuit of “earthly things.” These things will perish, but the heavenly promise remains forever for those who are willing to strive for it.

Immediately before the scene of his transfiguration, Jesus has warned his disciples of his own rejection and execution (and resurrection) and of their own need to deny themselves and take up their crosses daily (Luke 9:22–27). Transfiguration, which points to glorification, only comes after the cross. Mountains are classical sites of theophanies, and so it is no accident that Peter, James, and John see Christ transfigured on top of a mountain. Jesus is accompanied by Moses and Elijah, who represent the Law and the Prophets, the two means by which God’s will has been communicated to Israel up to this point. Now, however, God tells the disciples to listen to Jesus,  who as God’s Son faithfully carries on the work of the Law and the  Prophets, but in an even more authoritative and definitive way.

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