2 Sunday Lent
In the Transfiguration, the disciples witness Christ’s radiant “glow up,” a glimpse of his divine glory and a preview of the resurrection. Yet the mountaintop is not a place to remain, but a moment of preparation that strengthens them to follow Jesus down into lives of service and sacrifice. When Christians encounter the transfigured Lord, they are sent into their families, communities, and civic life to help bring the light of Christ to the world.
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One of the privileges I have had as a priest is serving at times as a high school chaplain. Some years ago, I was visiting a Catholic high school in Vancouver. I would usually walk the halls once a week, greeting students and wishing them good morning. On one particular visit, I had just had my hair cut a few days earlier. As I walked down the hallway, a student called out, “Hey, Father Nick, nice glow up.”
It took me a moment to understand what that meant. If you are not fluent in Gen Z vocabulary, a “glow up” refers to a significant and positive transformation in someone’s appearance, confidence, or overall life. It suggests improvement, growth, and renewal.
We all appreciate a good glow up.
In today’s Gospel from St. Matthew, Peter’s response to Jesus’ transfiguration is very understandable. Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up a high mountain. In the Scriptures, mountains are places of encounter with God. It is there that Jesus is transfigured. His face shines like the sun, and his clothes become dazzling white. Moses and Elijah appear with him, representing the Law and the Prophets. In this moment, the fullness of salvation history converges. The disciples see a glimpse of Christ’s divine glory. It is, in many ways, a preview of the resurrection.
Peter responds as many of us would. “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents.” He wants to stay. He wants to preserve the moment.
Mountaintop experiences are powerful. We experience them in prayer, on retreat, in moments of deep peace, in the beauty of creation, in the kindness of others. There are times when following Jesus brings clarity and joy, when life makes sense in the light of faith. These moments are real gifts. They strengthen us and remind us of who Christ truly is.
At the same time, the mountain is not the final destination.
After the transfiguration, the voice of the Father is heard: “This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.” As the Gospel unfolds, we learn what listening to Jesus means. He will speak about taking up the cross. He will walk toward Jerusalem. He will suffer and die. The mountain is preparation, not conclusion. It gives the disciples strength for the long journey ahead.
When they come down from the mountain, Jesus returns to the work of teaching, healing, and serving. The vision of glory does not remove him from the world’s needs. It sends him more deeply into them.
The same is true for us. Our faith is not meant to be an escape from ordinary life. The moments of consolation we receive are meant to strengthen us for mission. We are not called to remain in tents on the mountain. We are called to descend into the everyday realities of family life, friendships, workplaces, and our wider community.
The world does not need disciples who remain only in places of comfort and inspiration. It needs disciples who carry the light of Christ into concrete situations. When we encounter the transfigured Lord, we are invited to reflect his love in acts of service, in concern for our neighbour, in building up the common good, in contributing to a more just and compassionate society.
Christ loves every person. If we love him, we must also love those he loves.
The transfiguration is a gift of hope. It reveals that glory is the final word, even when the path leads through the cross. During this Lenten journey, we pray not only to glimpse the light of Christ, but also to receive the courage to follow him down the mountain. Strengthened by his grace, we are sent into the world to bring his love, his mercy, and his transforming light to others.
