This past fall, Saint Thomas More was blessed with a special visit by Brother Emile from the Community of Taizé, an ecumenical community of brothers that welcomes over 100,000 youth pilgrims each year. During dinner, Br. Emile spoke about the power of trust and imagination inspired by the Community’s founder, Br. Roger. An adaptation of his words appeared in last month’s edition of the Catholic Worker: “What helps to resist the seeming fatalism of evil is the power of the imagination.… As the imagination of what is good enfolds, our appetite and desire for good are awakened, stimulated, beckoning our will to transform what is only an intimation into reality” (emphasis added).
Today we hear the familiar story of the Transfiguration. Many of our Protestant brothers and sisters read this Gospel on the last Sunday before Lent, continuing the theme of Jesus as Light of the world that began with the Epiphany back in January. The Roman lectionary, however, keeps this Gospel during Lent itself, positioning it alongside narratives of Christ’s glorification that ultimately culminate on the cross. I love hearing this Gospel during Lent because it reminds us that this season is not just about penance or an extended Passiontide … it is also about glory. Our first reading recounts God’s establishment of a covenantal relationship with Abraham: that he would both be blessed and be a blessing to others. We are called to share in this covenant as a church by accompanying those to be initiated at Easter, and as individuals by taking stock of our lives and renewing our commitment to bring God’s glory to the world.
But how can we participate in such glory when confusion, anxiety, and exhaustion surround us each and every day? At the time of writing this, for instance, Integrated Refugee & Immigrant Services (IRIS) just announced that they would be closing their New Haven office due to lack of funding. It is too easy these days to let cynicism take the better of us and forget that God continues to renew and recreate the world before our very eyes. Perhaps Br. Emile’s words would be helpful here: when we take the time to imagine, to take risks, and to channel our God-given creativity, we are able to take what were once abstract intimations and transform them into action. When I hear today’s Gospel, I like many often identify strongly with Peter, quick to act on impulse rather than taking the time to reflect, search, discern, and marvel. When we take a step back to imagine a different way of living, we allow God to work through us and transfigure our lives into something greater. Through our imagination, we are given the strength to stay on the mountaintop and marvel at the miracles in our lives, both great and small. Eventually, however, we must also come down the mountain and move on, using our newfound wonder to work real and tangible deeds in the world. May we pray for the grace to become more imaginative and creative beings, using the gifts we’ve received to become sharers in Christ’s transfigured glory.
