Readings
I - Gen. 15: 5-12, 17-18
II - Phil. 3: 17 - 4:1
III - Lk. 9: 28-36
FRIENDS OF THE CROSS OF CHRIST
Today’s Gospel passage is about the transfiguration of Jesus. The apostles Peter, James and John, witnessed, heard and testified to this fact in their lives. The three apostles witnessed Jesus on the mount glowing in the glory of God along with Moses and Elijah, the two giants of God whom they revered great, one as the law giver and the other as the messenger of God who turned the hearts of people towards God. They heard a voice from the cloud saying, “This is my Son, My Chosen One; listen to him!” And they testified to this fact that Jesus was the Son of God through their effective life of teaching, preaching and healing like their Master and finally, with boldness and courage gave up their lives too as a testimony to the Truth.
We as Christians are called to follow the foot prints of the apostles chalked out by Jesus our Lord. This is why St. Paul in today’s second reading says to imitate him and observe the example of those who live for Jesus. He calls those who fail to live their lives according to the teachings of Christ as “enemies of the cross of Christ”. It is the Father’s command that we obey Jesus. Failing to do so we fail to be the followers of Christ and at the last Day of Judgment we might hear him saying, “I never knew you; go away from me”. Are we going to be the enemies of the Cross of Christ or friends of the Cross of Christ? The choice is ours. Lent is a time to align our lives unto the ways of God. May the season of Lent help us to be the effective witnesses of our Lord Jesus Christ. Let our mind and heart resonate with the prayer, “Lord Jesus, make me an authentic followers of yours”.
