Fulfilment of tradition
Sunday of the Second Week of Lent
Gospel: Luke 9:28b-36
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/031625.cfm
Jesus and three of his disciples went up a mountain to pray. Throughout Old Testament scripture, people connected with God on top of mountains. It was where God gave Moses the law. It was on top of a mountain where Elijah went to hide and reconnect with God. God came to Elijah in a whisper after he had encountered great winds, fire, and earthquakes. Ultimately, both Moses and Elijah received direction from God on top of mountains. Moses is associated with the law and Elijah is one of the prophets. The law was the foundation to the Jewish faith and covenant to God and the prophets were sent to help guide people back to God.
So here the disciples were with Jesus on top of a mountain praying. The disciples fell asleep. They were not prepared or aware of what was about to come. They were awoken to a transformed Jesus speaking with Moses and Elijah about what he is to accomplish when he goes to Jerusalem. This visit was bringing together key moments in Jewish history in one place: Moses as the foundation of the law, Elijah as the continued revelation of the prophets, and Jesus as the Messiah who is the fulfillment of God’s work through them. Together they discuss what is about to come. You have the ancient past, the past, and the present talking about the future. Moses and Elijah are getting to share in the moment as the disciples bear witness.
Peter tries to get Moses and Elijah to stay, but their time has already been served. Their work was still with them and still part of them through Jesus, the fulfillment of their tradition. Then God speaks, “This is my chosen Son; listen to him.” As the people were to follow the law and the prophets, Jesus is the one to follow now; heed his words and take on his practices.
We too now are part of this tradition and carry the work of our ancestors with us if we recognize it or not. Let us not fall asleep, but stay awake for the glories that God is to show us. May we see the stage that was set throughout history for us to receive our call. We are all connected throughout history. May we do what we can in our own time to set the stage for those to come after us. As with Moses, Elijah, Jesus, and the disciples, we are called to lay down the foundation for and bring forth the kingdom of God. May we respond to our call as they did in the way that God uniquely calls us.
