Second Sunday of Lent

Dear Friends,

This week’s Gospel takes us through the mysterious event of the Transfiguration, where Jesus reveals his glory and divinity to Peter, James, and John on the mountaintop. With their own eyes, these three apostles witness the truth: that their friend Jesus actually IS God, that he is the fulfillment of the scriptures and is the Messiah they have been waiting for. And yet, even after witnessing this profound moment, we know that a short time later these same apostles are confused and scattered in the face of Jesus’s passion and death. Peter, who is so enthused in this mountaintop moment, is later so filled with fear and doubt that he denies even knowing Jesus.

Similarly, in our first reading we see Abram experience a profound moment with God, who reveals his plan for Abram’s life and lineage, and promises him abundant descendants. Like Peter, Abram is moved and awed as this takes place. But, also like Peter, as time goes on we know that he begins to doubt in God’s promise and instead tries to take matters into his own hands.

I relate to Peter and Abram so much. I can think of many “mountaintop moments” in my life, where God has encountered me deeply, shown me his faithfulness, or revealed his glory in a special and personal way. And yet, as soon as the going gets tough and the memory of those moments begins to fade, I find myself easily turning my back on God, failing to trust him and instead trying to do things my own way. Perhaps you have experienced something like this yourself—maybe a powerful retreat or a moment in prayer inspires and moves you so much that you are sure you’ve been changed forever. But as time passes, you find yourself faltering or losing faith.

Sometimes we are on the mountaintop with Jesus in the glow of his divinity, and sometimes we are deep in the valleys of fear, doubt, or distrust. But the amazing thing is that Jesus is with us in those valleys, too. He never abandons us, and even when our faith falters, he is always unwaveringly faithful to us. Jesus knows that Peter isn’t perfect, yet he still confirms him as the first pope. God knows that Abram didn’t always trust his promise, but he still keeps that promise and confirms Abraham as a great father in faith.

Sometimes we are weak and fickle in our friendship with Jesus, but we must not despair and give up; instead, we must cling to him and return to him again and again, secure in the knowledge that he is the most faithful friend, the most generous God, that he loves us in our lowliness and still invites us to share in his glory.

Jule Coppa, Penn Campus Minister