2nd Week of Lent: Transfiguratin’

It seems that wherever we fellow Jesusites congregate these days, the conversation eventually turns to the big questions of Lenten sacrifices. I’m always ready to trot mine out for all to see, highlighting my surrender of those tasty treats and delightful diversions, I flee to when in the throes of worldly stressure.

Of course, in addition to fasting from the fun stuff, I’m praying and almsgiving. Sometimes I feel as if I’m merely checking off the Lenten list, wading in the shallows of the spirit, and too skittish to venture into the deep end. In words a little less obscure, by the second week, my Lent needs a little “transfiguratin’.”

I gotta be convinced that as I crawl to the end of my first fortnight in Passiontide, there is more to all of this bruhaha than running the loop on the big three (PF&A), over and over again. And as sure as that barefoot Jewish son of a carpenter climbed up the mountain, radiated his divine light, and hobnobbed with a couple of Old Testament superstars, my plain old observance can be changed from one of routine to one of relationship.

This is where we have the advantage over his clueless and confused companions. We’ve heard the homilies, seen the shows, heck, we may have even read the book. We know how it’s going to turn out. Yes, the enemy’s minions seize Him, manhandle, humiliate and hang Him up for all to see, then hand Him off to those who aren’t in hiding. And still, He is victorious—without raising His voice, His hand, or even calling on His Daddy to smite them all.

So, I, too, am looking for a victory. Not just being able to give up my goodies for 6 weeks, but coming out of all this holy hullabaloo with a certain knowledge that I can travel the same road and win the same prize. Jesus is showing me how. And as I pray, fast and give of my stuff and myself for the next several weeks, I believe that when the showdown comes in my life, whatever that might be, I will rise above it all, thanks to the one who draws everyone to Himself.