Holy Father Pope Francis while addressing the faithful gathered at St. Peter’s Square contemplated the Gospel account of the Transfiguration of Jesus. He highlighted this scene was related to what had happened six days before when Jesus revealed to his disciples that in Jerusalem Jesus would have to suffer a lot and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the scribes, be killed and after three days rise again. His Holiness emphasized that it is necessary to allow oneself to be enveloped and transformed by the Spirit.
As reported by Vatican Radio, Holy Father Pope Francis remarked that “By taking the disciples Peter, James and John and leading them to a high mountain and showing them his glory, the glory of the Son of God, the Lord was enabling the disciples to face the passion of Jesus in a positive way, without being overwhelmed.” Further, His Holiness added, “The transfiguration helps the disciples, and us too, to understand that the passion of Christ is a mystery of suffering, but it is above all a gift of infinite love on the part of Jesus. The event of Jesus transfiguring on the mountain makes us understand better also his resurrection.”
His Holiness concluded his remarks by reminding that during this time of Lent it was important to live out the experience of contemplation and prayer, not to escape from the harshness of everyday life, but to enjoy familiarity with God.
