Readings: Genesis 12:1-4; 2 Timothy 1:8-10; Matthew 17:1-9

 

Lent as a Journey Up the Mountain: “ Rise, Do Not Be Afraid.”

Dear brothers and sisters, today’s readings are about a journey of faith. Abram is told to leave everything and trust God. Paul encourages Timothy not to be afraid of suffering for Christ. And the disciples are taken up the mountain, where they see Jesus in His glory before facing the Cross. In each case, God is preparing His people for something greater. Lent is our journey up the mountain, a time to step away from distractions and routine, to listen deeply, and to see Jesus as He truly is. Because when we see Him clearly, we are no longer afraid to follow Him. 

Climbing or Staying at the Foot of the Mountain?

Many Christians find themselves at the foot of the mountain, busy and distracted. While they are religious, they may not be truly listening. Without moments of silence, intentional prayer, and dedicated time apart, we cannot perceive what God wants to reveal to us. Those who accept the invitation to climb the mountain will hear the Father’s voice: “This is my beloved Son… listen to him” [Matthew 17:5]. To hear this voice, we must ascend. Lent serves as that ascent. If we never step away from distractions, we will never see Jesus as He truly is.

Seeing Jesus Differently

On the mountain, “He was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun” [Matthew 17:2]. It’s important to note that Jesus does not change; rather, the disciples’ perception of Him changes. The light was always there. Prayer does not change God; it changes how we see Him. As faith matures, our understanding deepens. God does not always remove our struggles, but He transforms our understanding of them. Pain is no longer meaningless, sacrifice is no longer loss, and obedience is no longer a burden. They become the path through which God works. St. Gregory Nazianzen said, “What is not assumed is not healed.” Christ enters our human reality—suffering included—and fills it with divine light.

Preparing for the Cross

The Transfiguration occurs after Jesus has spoken of His forthcoming suffering. The idea of a suffering Messiah scandalised the disciples, so Jesus reveals His glory: not to impress them, but to strengthen them. St. Leo the Great teaches: “The Lord revealed His glory to strengthen the hearts of His disciples, so that the humiliation of the Passion might not disturb their faith.” The mountain prepares them for Calvary; the light prepares them for darkness; the glory prepares them for the Cross. When they fall in fear, Jesus reassures them, saying, “Rise, and do not be afraid” [Matthew 17:7].

He Alone Remains

After the cloud lifts, “They saw no one but Jesus only” [Matthew 17:8]. Moses is gone, Elijah is gone: only Jesus remains. He is the one accessible to them, the one they must follow to Jerusalem, the only voice they must ultimately obey. This is the heart of Lent: to come to a place where, after all distractions fall away, we see no one else but Jesus.

What This Means for Us at Our Lady of Light

Both young and old, we are all called to climb. We climb when we choose prayer over scrolling, forgiveness over resentment, generosity over self-protection, silence over noise, and obedience over ego. Without intentional listening, we remain at the base: busy but unchanged. However, if we ascend:

  • We begin to see differently.
  • We begin to understand our struggles differently.
  • We begin to trust differently.

The parent burdened by responsibility sees sacrifice as love. The young person facing peer pressure views courage as a form of strength. The elderly individual facing limitations sees surrender as a communion with Christ. Faith matures on the mountain.

The Promise of the Mountain

God does not promise constant brightness or the removal of difficulty, but He promises His presence. When fear overwhelms us: in illness, uncertainty, grief, or doubt, Christ comes near. He touches us and says, “Rise.” He says, “Do not be afraid.”

In Conclusion, when Lent has accomplished its work in us, when silence has purified our hearing, and when obedience has shaped our hearts, we will descend the mountain stronger. Not because life is easier, but because we have seen who He truly is: The Beloved Son, filled with divine glory. His voice is the one we must listen to, for He leads