The gospel for the second Sunday of Lent recalls once again the story of the transfiguration of Jesus Christ. We hear again how Jesus, with Peter, James, and John, ascends Mt. Tabor. There, the Lord is transfigured, his face shining like the sun, and clothes tuning as white as light. While this is being manifested, there appear before the disciples Moses and Elijah, talking with the Lord. Upon seeing this glorious spectacle Peter says to Jesus, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” He is still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadows them, and a voice from the cloud saying, ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.”
When the disciples hear this, they fall on their faces overcome with terror. But Jesus comes and touches them, saying, ‘Rise, and have no fear.’ When they lift up their eyes, they see no one but Jesus all alone. It is a special grace for Peter, James, and John to see Jesus transfigured. It is experiencing a preview of the glory of the risen Christ and a foretaste of the glory in Paradise.
That is the story of many young women and men who, for the last forty years, have joined Jesuit Volunteers Philippines (JVP). We used to say that JVP ruined our lives, but that was not really accurate, even if partially correct in that JVP messed up many of our well-laid plans. What becoming a Jesuit Volunteer has instead done is to transfigure our lives, change them forever in ways we could never imagine or hope for. Read More