Homily: Second Sunday of Lent (C)
Luke 9:28-36
16 March 2025
Fr. Ricky Cañet Montañez, AA
One time I presided over a golden wedding anniversary mass and renewal of wedding vows in my previous parish. The couple in their late 70’s chose to renew their vows in the parish church with a hundred of their friends and relatives in attendance. During the homily, I asked the husband how long their courtship lasted and he revealed that it took him a year before he could convince his wife to be his girlfriend. However, when he proposed two (2) months later, she did not hesitate to say “Yes”. The wife revealed that he had the reputation of being a ‘ladies’ man’ and it took many months before she saw in him the potential to be a good husband and family man. She said she did wait to be absolutely sure. That brief moment was so impactful that it convinced her that he was “The One”.
In today’s Gospel, we hear about the Transfiguration, where Jesus is revealed in His full glory to Peter, James, and John on the mountain. It was a privileged moment, offering them a glimpse of who Jesus truly is. While this experience is amazing, it is only a glimpse of something much greater that is yet to come. They did not understand completely what they had witnessed but it was enough to convince them that Christ was otherworldly.
In the Transfiguration of Jesus, the disciples were shown Jesus’ glory, but it also points toward something very important: salvation does not always come the way we expect. We often think of salvation as our triumph over our problems, over our struggles. We tend to associate it with easy answers, quick fixes, or immediate results. However, Jesus’ glory, as revealed in the Transfiguration, will only be fully manifested through His suffering, death, and resurrection. Many times, when we find ourselves in tough situations, we complain why life has to be that challenging. But just like our Master’s story, our redemption often comes through the difficult moments of our lives. Actually, it is in these times when God is working in us the most, helping us grow in faith.
The Transfiguration reminds us that while Jesus is revealed in His glory on the mountain, the path to the fullness of that glory is paved with challenges. The disciples saw His glory, but they also had to understand that the real victory would only come through the cross. Just like our Lord Jesus, we, too have to walk through some hard times to reach the glory God promises us. What are we challenged to constantly deal with these days? Yes, we are made to realise that when we face difficulties, we should not lose hope. We may not understand why we have to go through something beyond us, but we can trust that God is guiding us through it. Through our struggles, God is bringing us closer to the salvation He offers us.
A few days ago, former President Rodrigo Duterte was arrested and flown overseas to face charges filed by the International Criminal Court (ICC). Many of his supporters are not only worried about him, but are also fearful for themselves, as members of the Die-Hard Duterte Supporters (DDS) brace for their own reckoning with the law. Regardless of our differing opinions and views about matters, we must remember that this is an important moment for all of us to reflect on and learn from. No matter which side we identify ourselves with and how uncomfortable this whole experience maybe for some of us, we all have important lessons to learn from this. Hence, instead of persecuting one another, we are all called to pray for one another. May we consider this as a crucial time for our redemption as a nation, a chance for God to purify and save us through conversion. Let us remember that God’s grace always finds a way to bring salvation to those who are willing to turn to Him. This could be God’s way of offering us an opportunity for true change as a people.
As we continue our Lenten journey, let us keep in mind that salvation does not always come in the ways we expect. At times, it is in the most unexpected moments — when we are struggling, when we are suffering, when we are confused — that God is at work, shaping us, and leading us toward the glory He has promised. Lent is a time for us to be open to the ways through which God is bringing us to our salvation. May we recognise them when we come upon them.
Sunday Gospel Reflections 