Fidei Catholicae

The 2nd Sunday of Lent
February 17, 2008

Homily by Fr. James Farfaglia
St. Helena of the True Cross Parish
Corpus Christi, Texas

The Transforming Power Of The Cross

A few years ago in another part of our country, a principal of a Catholic elementary school became very nervous about the financial situation of his school. He decided to ask the Federal Government for a grant and his request was well received.

A few days latter, an inspector came by to check over the school and to find out how the money would be used. He visited each classroom and then he sat down with the principal. “Your school looks great and we can help you out”, said the inspector. “There is only one problem”. The inspector pointed to a crucifix hanging on the wall of the principals’ office and said, “Those things have to come down”.

Unfortunately, the principal did not protest the decision, nor did the pastor of the parish. However, the parents of the school threw a fit. Some of the parents organized the rest of the parents and they had a meeting with the principal and the priest. They told them that they did not want to loose their identity as a Catholic school and they committed themselves to raise whatever money was needed to keep the school financially sound.

Today, the Catholic school continues to flourish.

This Sunday’s liturgy provides motivation and inspiration for us to continue our Lenten program. It is not easy to die to self. However, the gospel account of the transfiguration of Jesus tells us that our cross will always lead to the transformation of our lives.

There are three transfigurations or transformations that take place in our journey towards eternity.

The first change begins at Baptism. The immersion into the baptismal waters symbolizes death and rebirth. The sacrament of Baptism washes away original sin and we are re-created. We are transformed into new creatures. The old self dies, and the new person in Christ Jesus is born.

Our new life, which begins at Baptism, is carried out through our daily living of the Gospel. This of course, demands a continual dying to self. Through self-denial, the image of Christ is made visible in our lives. The more we die to self, the more sanctifying grace can transform our lives. “He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for my sake will find it”. (Matthew 10: 39)

The second transformation takes place by our victory over the trials and tribulations of life. Every challenge, every difficulty, every moment of suffering, is an opportunity to grow. Transformation only takes place through suffering.

A young friend of mine was diagnosed with cancer when was nineteen years old. He died two years latter. Nevertheless, his acceptance of this challenge and the manner in which he embraced his daily suffering not only transformed his life, but it transformed the lives of those who were closest to him.

One day after he returned from a long week of treatments at the hospital, his dad suggested that before returning home, they stop by their parish and pray the Stations of the Cross together. The father told his son that contemplating how much Jesus had suffered for them would be important, particularly in their present trial. Both father and son had understood the transforming power of the Cross of Jesus.

The third transformation takes place at death. The suffering that the final moment brings upon us, makes way for an amazing transformation. Eternal life in heaven, perhaps after a period of further transformation in purgatory, is granted to those who have been found worthy. The last transformation or transfiguration takes place at the Second Coming when our body is reunited with our soul. What awaits us is beyond anything that we can imagine. “I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us” (Romans 8: 18).

“Sacred Scripture calls this mysterious renewal, which will transform humanity and the world, ‘new heavens and a new earth’. It will be the definitive realization of God’s plan to bring under a single head all things in Christ, things in heaven and things on earth. The visible universe, then, is itself destined to be transformed, so that the world itself, restored to its original state, facing no further obstacles, should be at the service of the just, sharing their glorification in the risen Jesus Christ”. (Catechism of the Catholic Church # 1043, 1047)

When we consider the eschatological teachings of the Catholic Church, we can understand why the Easter liturgy cries out “O felix culpa”. “O happy fault, O necessary sin of Adam, which gained for us so great a Redeemer” (Exsúlet – The Easter Proclamation from the Easter Vigil Liturgy).

The transfiguration of the Lord reminds us of the outcome of the cross. Suffering brings about transformation when we carry the cross like true disciples of Jesus.

Each of us has a cross to carry. We must all identify our crosses and carry them with patience, joy and love. Why complain about something which is our means to gain eternal life?

As Thomas a’ Kempis reminds us, “The cross, therefore, is always ready; it awaits you everywhere. No matter where you may go, you cannot escape it, for wherever you go you take yourself with you and shall always find yourself. Turn where you will — above, below, without, or within — you will find a cross in everything, and everywhere you must have patience if you would have peace within and merit an eternal crown.

If you carry the cross willingly, it will carry and lead you to the desired goal where indeed there shall be no more suffering, but here there shall be. If you carry it unwillingly, you create a burden for yourself and increase the load, though still you have to bear it. If you cast away one cross, you will find another and perhaps a heavier one” (The Imitation of Christ, Book II, chapter 12).

The transfiguration of Jesus on Mount Tabor tells us that the glory of the resurrection will only take place through the sufferings of Good Friday. The transfiguration of Jesus teaches us that the Cross is necessary in order for Easter to take place. However, too many of our contemporaries are like those who stood at the foot of the Cross and cried out to Jesus that He should come down from the Cross. Many would like to have a Christianity without self-denial, discipline, and renunciation. However, Christianity without the Cross is not Christianity at all.

My own personal journey with the Lord Jesus has shown me that all of this is true. As I look back on my life, every cross, every tribulation, every persecution, every moment of bodily pain has been a moment of growth, sanctification and transformation. We must die to self in order to live.