# Love transfigures everything
*2016-02-21*

> Bill Young reflects on the Transfiguration of Jesus and a reading from Pope Francis's 'Renew Our Hearts' regarding the goal of Lenten conversion.

## The Goal of Conversion

Today is the second Sunday of Lent. We continue reading from the book 'Renew Our Hearts: A Personal Invitation to Lenten Conversion' by Pope Francis. In the section titled 'Love Transfigures Everything,' we look at the Gospel of Luke 9:33, where the disciples say, 'Master, it is good for us to be here.' Today's Gospel shows us the goal of our journey of conversion: participation in the glory of Christ.

## A Foretaste of Glory

The Transfiguration takes place as Jesus is on his way to Jerusalem, where the prophecies of his redemptive sacrifice are to be fulfilled. Because the disciples do not yet understand this, Jesus chooses to give Peter, James, and John a foretaste of the glory he will possess after the Resurrection. This experience is meant to confirm their faith and encourage them to follow him on the way to the cross.

## The Mountain Experience

On a high mountain, immersed in prayer, Jesus transfigures his face and attire into a blinding light. As a cloud envelops the three frightened disciples, the Father's voice sounds from above, just as it did at Jesus' baptism: 'This is my son, chosen son. Listen to him' (Luke 9:35).

## Translating the Message

Along with Peter, James, and John, we too climb the mountain of Transfiguration. We stop to contemplate the face of Jesus so that we can retrieve his message and translate it into our own lives. We can all be transfigured by love, for in reality, love is capable of transfiguring everything.

*By contemplating the glory of Christ, we find the strength to follow Him on the way of the cross, knowing that love has the power to transfigure everything.*