by Fr. John Martin Shimkus, O.S.B.

      The story of Jesus’ transfiguration before his chosen disciples is an event that was meant to strengthen their faith.  Seeing Jesus in a glowing and glorious state as the transfigured Lord helped them through the pain of later seeing him as the crucified Lord.  But another part of the faith Jesus was conferring upon his disciples was that of believing humanity itself - our humanity - could be transformed, that if the presence of God could show forth through Jesus as the Son of God, then that presence could also shine through us, who are filled with God’s grace through baptism.

     Often we doubt the transforming work of the Holy Spirit within and use our shortcomings as an excuse.  Because we have not been totally faithful to God, we may claim that we really don’t have what it takes to show forth God’s love.  While it’s true that of ourselves we don’t have what it takes, it is also true that through faith God Himself supplies the grace we need to shine with His light. 

     And Lent is great time to cultivate that faith in God’s presence within.  For example:

-    Our Lenten prayers can remind us how Jesus prayed to his Father in the desert.  When we address God as Father we affirm that we are also His children in Christ and that it is the Spirit of Christ who is really praying within us.

-    Fasting also makes a statement about the presence of God in our lives; it says that God is the real source of our strength and consolation – and not some particular food or drink or entertainment.  That is a statement we can only make through faith that God’s life in some way sustains us from within. 

-    Acts of charity, too, affirm God’s goodness in us.  Through them we let the light of God’s love show forth in our own actions.  We become sacraments of God’s love so that the world may see through us that the Risen Lord is really here and alive in our midst.

     The reality of the divine life shining in us is a big part of what Jesus revealed to his disciples on the mountain; the truth that our humanity, through the humanity of Jesus, is truly the dwelling place of God.  May we use our Lenten practices to affirm the presence of God’s Spirit within.  May we lay claim to our identity as beloved children of God.   And may we allow the Spirit to empower us to grow ever more faithful in the ways of God.  For our very life as Christians depends on this.

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