Second Sunday of Lent: Gospel B

After six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John and led them up a high mountain apart by themselves. 

· It is important to know that prior to this in Mk 8:31-33 Jesus made his first prediction of his upcoming          passion and death on the cross and resurrection.  This experience of Jesus’ glory is to help the disciples    to deal with the mystery of Jesus’ death.
· These three disciples were part of Jesus’ inner circle. They also will hold prominent roles in the leadership of the early church. Along with Andrew they were the first four disciples to follow Jesus.
· Many times in biblical understanding the mountain is the place for new revelation.

And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no fuller on earth could bleach them. Then Elijah appeared to them along with Moses, and they were conversing with Jesus. 

· The transfiguration of Jesus is an anticipation of his resurrection and future glory as well as our future glory.
· Why Elijah and Moses? Elijah stands for the prophets and Moses for the Law. Jesus is the fulfillment of both the Law and the prophets. The ultimate fulfillment is through his death and resurrection.

Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, "Rabbi, it is good that we are here! Let us make three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." He hardly knew what to say, they were so terrified. 

· How would you react if you witnessed the glory of God?

Then a cloud came, casting a shadow over them; then from the cloud came a voice, "This is my beloved Son. Listen to him." 

· When was the last time we heard this affirmation of Jesus? At his baptism.
· Here is another Trinitarian revelation: The voice of the Father, the transfigured Son and the cloud, symbolizing the Holy Spirit
· The cloud is reminiscent of the cloud covering the meeting tent during the desert journey of Israel. The cloud also enveloped the Holy of Holies of the Temple at the time of  the dedication. Both symbolize the presence of God.
· The Father tells the disciples to listen to Jesus when he prophesies his own death and resurrection.
· In what area of my life does God want me to listen to Jesus?
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Suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone but Jesus alone with them. As they were coming down from the mountain, he charged them not to relate what they had seen to anyone, except when the Son of Man had risen from the dead. So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what rising from the dead meant. 

· In Mark’s theology the Son of Man could not be fully understood until his death and resurrection. That is why Jesus keeps telling different one, “Don’t tell anyone what you experienced.”
· But we know that Jesus has died and risen. We know that he is the Lord and Messiah. Are we still waiting to tell others about Jesus?
· What do we take from the Gospel passage and apply to our life today?