2A Lent Sunday homily (01 March 2026) The Transfiguration

 

2A, LENT SUNDAY HOMILY, MATTHEW 17:1-9, MARCH 01, 2026

By: Fr. Vincent Corbelli, MM 

1) STORY

While living in Rome, I took a visitor to see the beautiful St. Peter’s Basilica, a church I had often visited.  As we walked through the church, I pointed out the huge marble statues of the saints which were situated about 100 feet above the floor.  I lamented not being able to read the names at the base of the statues. The visitor told me that one was the statue of St. Francis, another was St. Dominic, etc.  I was amazed and asked how it was possible to see the names which were so far away.  He answered that the glasses he was wearing permitted him to see objects which were near and those which were far.  He could see things I was not able to see because of his eye glasses.

 

2) GOSPEL, MATTHEW 17:1-9

A) JESUS HELPS THE APOSTLES

Jesus led the three disciples up a high mountain and he was transfigured before them.  “His face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light.”  He wanted to teach them that he was not only a man but was also God.

B) THE APOSTLES

The apostles were able to see that Jesus was no ordinary man.  He was also God.  They were able to hear the Father’s words, “This is my beloved son, with whom I am well pleased.  Listen to him.”

 

3) APPLICATION TO LIFE

A) JESUS HELPS US TO KNOW HIM BETTER

We can consider Lent as a time when Jesus takes up to a mountain.  Though we cannot see Jesus as the apostles did, he is in our midst as he is present in his Church, in the bible, the Church’s teachings, and in the lives of holy people.

B) WE SEE AND HEAR JESUS

We see Jesus when we see a priest celebrating Mass, when we read the bible, or attend the Stations of the Cross.  We see him when we help a poor, sick, or an unhappy person.  Jesus has said that when you help others, you are helping him.  We hear Jesus when we listen to the Mass homily, the words of the bishop, or the cry for help of someone in need.

 

4) CONCLUSION

The eye glasses helped the visitor to see the names of the saints in St. Peter’s Basilica.  Jesus helped the apostles to see that he was not only man but also God and that he was the Father’s beloved Son.  They should listen to him.  During Lent Jesus also helps us to see that he is both God and man.  We should listen to him.