Lenten Light

by the Rev. Kate Atkinson

As we move from Epiphany into Lent, we’re treated to a wonderful foretaste of Christ’s radiant light in heaven. When we’re trudging through the stresses, the losses and the disappointments that can be so much a part of our life in this world, the story of the Transfiguration (Mark 9:2-9) reminds us of what we have to look forward to: eternal life in God’s glorious presence. 

The Transfiguration also reminds us that Christ’s light breaks into dark places here and now.  Our faith in a living God gives us access to Christ’s healing, strengthening, inspiring light every day.  Whether or not we call them mountaintop experiences, we’ve all encountered Christ’s glory at some point in our lives and we could tell amazing stories of the difference that has made.

But there’s another aspect of the Transfiguration which is perhaps the most important one for people of faith today. This past Sunday we prayed these words: “Grant to us that we, beholding by faith the light of (Jesus’) countenance, may…be changed into his likeness from glory to glory…” (Collect for the Last Sunday after the Epiphany) In other words, “help us become like Christ.”

We’re not just asking God to help us survive in a difficult world, we’re asking God to help us make this world better.

God said, “Let light shine out of darkness!” (2 Corinthians 4:6) 

When Christ’s light shines in the world, it reveals things that are wrong.  As followers of Christ, we can distinguish between what’s right or wrong, good or evil, honest or dishonest, because we have the light of the gospel to guide us.  Lent is a perfect time for us to stop handling the gospel as if it were cheap merchandise, and to recognize it as a priceless treasure that can enlighten and transform our lives.

We’re moving from the holy, light-filled season of Epiphany, into the holy season of Lent – which is filled with light of a different quality.  It is light that can help us seek out and illuminate the dark corners in our lives; light that can reveal to us those things that we need to change.  Then, with God’s help, we discover that we have the power to change them.