The Promise and Hope of Heaven

"If then we are steadfast in our faith in Him, and in our love for Him, we win the victory He has won; we receive what He has promised." 

~Pope St Leo the Great

James Tissot: The Transfiguration

No matter how many times I hear the account of Jesus' transfiguration during Lent, I always feel like it is a little out of place, but in a good way. As we begin this second week of Lent, we might be feeling a little sluggish in keeping our Lenten promises. The story of Jesus' transfiguration is like a little shot in the spiritual arm. Through it Jesus does for us what He did for Peter, James and John~He strengthened them for what lay ahead during His Passion and death. In hearing this Gospel account today, we too are strengthened.
Peter, upon seeing Our Lord transfigured in the presence of Moses and Elijah tells Jesus that he does not want this moment to end. On that holy mountain  the Apostles got a glimpse of heaven and its promises. That same glory they were seeing in Jesus would be theirs as well one day. That same promise is made to us. St Paul tells us in his letter to the Philippians that: "...He will change our lowly bodies to conform to His glorified body..." Now that is something for which we can all truly hope!
So as we continue our Lenten journeys and move closer to Holy Week, let us be encouraged and strengthened by the hope and promise of heaven. All we need to do to attain that heaven is heed the Father's command to listen to His Beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.

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