Time for transformation

Father Abraham Srambical

There is a beautiful story told by Father Anthony de Mello, in his book ‘Song of the Bird’, about the prayer of an old man who experienced such a change of character. “I was a revolutionary when I was young and all my prayer to God was, ‘Lord, give me the grace to change the world.’ As I approached middle age and realized that half of my life was gone without changing a single person, I changed my prayer to, ‘Lord, give me the grace to change all those who come in contact with me; just my family and friends and I shall be satisfied.’ Now that I am old and my days are numbered, I have begun to see how foolish I have been. My one prayer now is, ‘Lord, give me the grace to change myself.’ If I had prayed for this right from the start I should not have wasted my life.” Transformation means a change in form or appearance or character. Lent invites us to transform our lives. Lent is a time to look at our lives and its failures and work on transforming and strengthening. By this Lenten renewal, we will begin to radiate the glory and grace of the invisible God around us by living spirit filled lives of love, mercy, reconciliation and service. The season of Lent renews the faithful, calling us to more fervent devotion, a holy resistance to evil, a more God-centered lifestyle and deeper communion with other people. The story of Jesus being tempted and tested in the desert is a model for all Christians who will more consciously deal with the temptations, sin and evil. Jesus defeated the devil with power of the word of God and trust in His Heavenly Father. In these days we face down evil non-violently and learn once again how to live with holy resistance to sin; we cling to the presence of God in the person of Jesus Christ, our saviour. Lent reminds us to seek where we are weak, where we need help or strengthening. How do I avoid being vulnerable (hungry) in my life? In the times of hardship or depression do I remember to look to scripture for help, comfort, directions and remedies? Do I try to prove to others who I am by what I do in public? Do I sell my soul to get what I want? Do I trust God to take care of me and my family? One fine morning, Jesus invites Peter, James and John, to go with him for a prayer session on the mountain. The mountain is a place of encounter with God. Moses encountered God on the mountain, and so did Elijah. And as Jesus was praying, the appearance of His face changed, and His clothing became dazzling white. Then two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared and began talking with Jesus. And the disciples heard the voice of the invisible God, “This is my son, Chosen one, listen to Him.” (Luke 9:35) Peter wanted to build three tents for Jesus, Moses and Elijah and to stay on the mountain. Like Peter, we cannot build three tents and rest on the mountain tops. Happy moments, we enjoy and remember, but we walk the valleys between mountains, pains interrupt the joys. What is the message of transfiguration? God calls us to live with Christ and to transform our lives and to follow a spiritual path leading to God. First lesson, we have divine life in us. No matter how rough, how unpolished, how crude (in a natural or raw state) we may be, we, like Jesus, have divinity within us. By a God-centered life, God calls us to become as radiant as the transfigured Christ. A second lesson is that our journey of faith involves struggle. The road up Mount Tabor is rough. The journey to faith follows a rough road. We must climb Mount Tabor. Third, we focus on God on the rough road of the spiritual path and take up our daily crosses of life. In this Lent, let us seek Jesus, and to take the challenges to live a good Christian life and to put aside sinful habits and remind ourselves to live God-centered life. As Christians, we are so bold as to hope for a transformation of our lives and radiate the grace and the glory of Jesus. Let God say one day of you and me, “This is my beloved son, my beloved daughter.”