As Catholics celebrated the second Sunday of Lent, Bishop Alfred Schlert of the Diocese of Allentown offered some insights about the Gospel reading to help parishioners understand the Transfiguration.

"The Transfiguration can seem distant, an almost magical story that may have little daily impact for those of us who are trying to live Christian lives," Schlert said in a diocese Facebook post this week. "However, the Transfiguration is very real and highly significant for each one of us." 

Lent is "a period of preparation to celebrate the Lord's Resurrection at Easter," the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) said in a recent release on its website. "During Lent, we seek the Lord in prayer by reading Sacred Scripture, we serve by giving alms and we practice self-control through fasting. We are called not only to abstain from luxuries during Lent, but to a true inner conversion of heart as we seek to follow Christ's will more faithfully." 

Traditionally, Catholics abstain from eating meat on Fridays during Lent, but the USCCB said that we are called to practice self-discipline in other ways as well. They also noted that Catholics should consider the definition of "almsgiving" to include sharing of time and talents. 

The Gospel reading for the second Sunday of Lent this year comes from Luke chapter 9, and it can be viewed on the USCCB website. The reading tells of Jesus bringing three of his apostles–Peter, James and John—up a mountain to pray. As he was praying, Moses and Elijah appeared beside him, and the three began to converse. The apostles then heard a voice say, "This is my chosen Son; listen to him."

This event is known as the Transfiguration and is recounted in each of the four Gospels. Christianity.com describes the Transfiguration as "a powerful demonstration of His divine nature and manifestation of His glory."

"The awe and power of Christ is something we don't always comprehend," Schlert said in the Facebook post. "There are times, when we walk into the great beauty of a church or marvel at the perfection of nature and be moved to recognize the magnificence of the Triune God. However, we don't always see Christ in the ordinary aspects of our daily lives or in the ordinary people we see each day."

Such was the situation for the apostles too.

"The Transfiguration served as an affirmation for them that Christ is the King of Glory," the bishop said.

"Today, let us recommit ourselves to seeing Christ in every aspect of our daily lives, from the great to the mundane; and remember, we see His transfigured and resurrected Body each time we see Him truly present in the Sacred Host!" Schlert said. " As always, know of my daily prayers before the Real Presence of Christ in the Holy Eucharist."