The Second Vatican Council document, “Lumen Gentium” “Light of the Nations,” serves as a reminder that the universal call to holiness is not made to a select few, but instead this invitation has been extended unto all members of the Church.
Saint Paul is exhorting us in his Epistle to answer this call to holiness. From verse 3: “For this is the will of God, your sanctification.”
Verse 4 reminds us of the spirit of this Lenten season: “that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor.”
If we are to answer this universal call to holiness we must entrust ourself to Christ and to His saving mercy.
Christ alone can bring about this transformation within us.
A transformation which is made exteriorly where we are sent forth to love and serve our neighbor.
A transformation which is made interiorly where we allow our faith to be more then actions which other people see, but rather something which has been integrated into who we are as a Christian.
To come and answer this call to holiness is difficult at times because as we were reminded last week, we will be tempted in the course of our earthly life.
Despite temptation may we not begin to think that this path towards holiness is impossible. Again, may we set our sight upon Christ and His saving mercy for it is here alone where we will come to find transformation from our former ways of life.
In our Gospel we are given the story of the Transfiguration from Saint Matthew’s perspective.
Through the Transfiguration the selected apostles are given a glimpse into our Lord’s Passion and how from it will spring forth a great joy unto the world.
During the Lenten season we are journeying towards Calvary, but may we not lose heart when we get there and come to discover the lifeless body of Christ who brought about our salvation.
Along this path which leads towards cross we will encounter many hardships, but may we not move backwards, but instead forward.
Forward with the understanding of what it was that Peter, John, and James came to encounter upon the mountain top.
Upon this mountain top their faith was strengthened for it was here that they were given a glimpse into the glory of Christ following His Resurrection.
May we too look towards Easter with great joy because what we will come to discover here is this same Jesus who was discovered by Peter, James, and John upon the mountain top.
Here we will come to behold Him in all of His glory and He will embrace us with His mercy.
If we believe in the Easter message may we take upon ourself to move towards the illumination of our Lord’s Resurrection.
In this process may we strip away that which holds us back from coming to know Christ and thus coming to answer this universal call to holiness.
It is towards Heaven in which we now journey for it is here where we will come to encounter true joy because we will finally come to see Christ not veiled under the appearances of sin.
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