As I See It

by Fr. Vin

Transfiguration – I

On this Second Sunday of Lent we hear each year the story of Jesus’ Transfiguration.  This year it’s the account in the Matthew Gospel.  While the focus is certainly on Jesus (and on the disciples’ incomprehension and fear), we make a mistake if we think the Gospel is just about them.  It’s about us as well.

The Gospels were written to help the early church – the “second generation,” who had no living memory of being with Jesus during his ministry – to experience the same sort of transformation of life that the apostles and others in the first generation had.  This story is part of that.  It encourages us to remember that, like Jesus, our true identity is hidden in God; God sees us as we truly are, made in His Image – but because of sin we and other humans don’t, except on rare occasions.  And, frankly, we don’t live according to our true nature – another result of sin.  The Gospel is a reminder of who we truly are, and all of Lent is a help to becoming that person in every thought and deed.  But there’s a catch.  We can’t go at our goal directly.

Take a simple example.  I have a few jade plants in my suite, and I love to watch the new branches burst out when they occasionally do.  It’s a sign the plant is flourishing.  I’ve noticed that new branches always start at the root of an existing leaf – often when the leaf has been knocked off by brushing into it.  But I’ve found that I can’t force a new branch to start by taking off a leaf deliberately.

What I have to do instead is to make sure the entire plant is healthy – right amount of water, of sun, and the like.  If I do those things, which means attention each week, then the plant will prosper and new branches will grow.  Our spiritual life is like that.  We can’t force our growth into our true Divine Image; we have to do the indirect work of making sure that we’re always in the proper environment, so that God can give the growth.

What is that environment?  Here’s the simple list we’ve been using.  You’re living in a healthy spiritual environment for growth if you can agree strongly to each of these things:

1)          I spend time in worship or prayer every day.

2)          My faith is involved in every aspect of my life.

3)          Because of my faith I have forgiven people who have hurt me deeply.

4)          Because of my faith I have meaning and purpose in my life.

5)          My faith has called me to develop my God-given strengths.

6)          I will take unpopular stands to defend my faith.

7)          My faith gives me inner peace.

8)          I speak words of kindness to those in need of encouragement.

9)          I am a person who is spiritually committed.

The disciplines of Lent recall us to this spiritual truth: We don’t grow spiritually simply by wanting to, or by trying to force ourselves to grow.  We’re like plants: We have to create the proper environment, and then the growth comes “naturally” (actually, by God’s grace). 

We’re barely ten days into Lent right now.  Why not take the list above and give yourself a “grade” on each item?  Rate the environment you’re creating for your growth.  Keep that list around, and at Easter go over it again to see whether you’ve used this Lent well.  Until next week, peace.

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