Listen to Him
“Then from the cloud came a voice that said,
‘This is my chosen Son; listen to him.’”
Luke 9:35
On this Second Sunday of Lent the Church proclaims, hears, and ponders Luke’s account of the Transfiguration, where the Father spoke from the cloud affirming Jesus’ identity. But, the Father also spoke to Peter, John, and James, and He speaks to us today the same message and command: “Listen to Him.”
We do not see many times in the New Testament where God the Father speaks directly, but this is one of them. The Father affirms that Jesus is His chosen Son before the Apostles on the mountain and also instructs them to listen to Him. To really see the profundity of this, we have to see what comes right before this. The passages leading up to the Transfiguration are: Peter’s confession of who Jesus is, the first prediction of the passion, and also Jesus’ explanation of the conditions of discipleship. On the mountain, Jesus appeared in His glory, giving the Apostles a glimpse of the Resurrection and what awaits them. This happened only after Peter declared his confession, Jesus predicted what will happen to Him, and Jesus told the disciples what is needed to follow Him (deny oneself, pick up one’s cross, and follow Him). And now, the Father tells the Apostles “Listen to Him.” Listen to who Jesus is. Listen to what Jesus will have to endure for the salvation of souls. Listen to what Jesus says is needed to be in relationship with Him and with the Father. Listen to how much you are loved. Listen to Him.
To be a disciple, to be a Christian means to “Listen to Him.” To be a Christian means to know that we must follow the Lord not only in His glory, but also the path to it — His exodus (cf. Lk. 9:31). Just as Moses led the Israelites out of slavery from Egypt, so too does Christ lead the people out of slavery from their sins. Christ leads a people who have become dead by their attachment to sin to new life in freedom as children of God. There will be glory, but never without the Cross. Never without suffering, never without sacrifice. But we know that this suffering and sacrifice are not meaningless because we have seen His glory. Because Peter, James, and John saw Jesus in His glory, although they fled when the soldiers came to arrest Him, they ultimately walked the exodus and endured the suffering. They listened to Him.
As we continue our Lenten journey, let us spend more time listening to the Lord who speaks to us in the silence of our hearts. Let us listen to Him because He who has loved us with an everlasting love has asked this of us. In listening to Him may we find the courage and strength to live out the exodus of our lives, carrying our crosses, knowing that at the end of our pilgrimage is a happiness and glory that cannot be described with words, a joy and peace that is everlasting.
