Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

The season of Lent is not just for the forty days of the calendar. The disciplines we adopt are not intended as a test to see how long we can follow them. The school that we enter in these penitential days orients our minds and hearts for something very important: the celebration of the Paschal Mystery. Lent is always about preparing us for the cross, death, and resurrection of Jesus.

The Gospel story of the Transfiguration reminds us of this preparation. Well before they find the tomb empty and meet the Risen Christ, the Apostles have a brief experience of the glory of God manifested in Jesus. This experience of God’s glory, the confirmation of the identity of Jesus spoken to them by the Father, and the mystical vision of Moses and Elijah must have been very consoling for Peter, James, and John. They may have wondered what exactly they had signed up for, or questioned if they had made the right decision in following Jesus. They may have had doubts about their ability to do all the things it seemed He was asking of them, or worried that they weren’t getting the whole story. But on Mount Tabor, as Jesus is transfigured before them, they find their reason, their doubts are assuaged, and they begin to understand.

Peter was ready to stay on the mountain. “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” But as the dazzling light fades, Jesus takes the disciples back down the mountain. The Transfiguration was not for itself, but rather was to prefigure and prepare for the Resurrection. In the same way, Lent is not an end in itself, but is a preparation. We have to go back down the mountain. Lent tells us not to stay comfortable on the mountain top, but instead to stay with Jesus wherever He might lead.

And so we come to an important reminder in the Lenten season. Lent is a school that prepares us for Easter, yes. But not only Easter. Rather, it prepares us for everything that comes after. Jesus tells the Apostles not to speak of the Transfiguration until the Resurrection has happened. After the Resurrection, we know that the Apostles not only speak about what they saw on the mountain, they speak about everything they witnessed Jesus say and do, and spent the rest of their days proclaiming His mercy and goodness. The forty days of Lent are not here just to get us to a calendar date and a celebration. They are here to help transfigure our lives, even after Easter 2026. These are days for us to learn what it means to go back down the mountain with Jesus, to walk the way of the Cross with Jesus, to go out to the world as witnesses carrying Jesus with us. This is a time of preparation. Preparation for a date. Preparation for a mission. Preparation for our eternal destiny, as we look forward to the resurrection of the dead.

Peace,

Fr. Sam