On the Second Sunday of Lent, we always read one of the Gospel accounts of the Transfiguration, when JESUS ascended Mount Tabor, and revealed His glory to the Apostles, Peter, James and John. This year we read from Luke (9:28-36).  JESUS’ face shone like the sun and His clothes became dazzling white, and the voice of the Father declared, “This is My Son, My chosen One; listen to Him!” This was a glimpse of Heaven and Peter wanted to remain. “Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us make three tents…” But Our Lord didn’t come to remain on Mount Tabor. He came to suffer and die on Calvary in order to redeem us. After the vision, they came down from the mountain, and headed towards Jerusalem for the Passion. Peter wanted the glory without suffering, a crown without thorns. But that wasn’t the way Our Lord had planned it. Suffering without the Cross is not the way of the saints, and if we want to share in His glory, we must also share in His Cross.

Look at the life of St Padre Pio (1887-1968), one of the great saints and mystics of our times, famous for the stigmata (the wounds of Christ on his body) and his many miracles, yet he didn’t become holy without suffering. The pain he endured from the wounds in his hands, feet and side was immense. He was attacked by the devil, suffered false accusations and was even forbidden by the Church to celebrate Mass in public or hear Confessions for years. But he embraced these crosses as being the Will of God and carried them with love, knowing that by uniting his sufferings with the sufferings of Our Lord it could bring about great good. This is how saints are made – not only canonised ones, but also the hidden ones, known only to God. It could be the mother sacrificing for her children, the father remaining faithful to his duties despite trials, or the sick who offer their sufferings for the salvation of souls. But every suffering whether big or small can be a source of grace if we offer it to God. Our Lord said, “If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily and follow Me” (Luke 9:23). As I wrote last week, if we unite our sufferings and trials with Christ’s Passion and offer them to God, they will merit us an eternal reward in Heaven.

So let’s not fear the Cross. Embrace it, carry it and offer it to God, because if we suffer with Christ, we will also reign with Him.

Fr Paul Gillham, IC