On the mountain of the transfiguration, Jesus reveals his identity to the three apostles, Peter, James, and John. He gives them a glimpse of his divine glory before they are to witness his human vulnerability in the shameful death which awaits him in Jerusalem. The face that now shines before them like the sun will soon become a face “without beauty and one that [is] spurned and avoided by men.” (Is 53:2-3) He will be stripped of his clothes that are “white as light” and be exposed naked and utterly helpless.
Jesus transfigures himself before the apostles momentarily in order to strengthen their faith in him and prepare them for the scandal of the cross which lies ahead.
These days I have the singular privilege and joy of joining the young people all over the world in the celebration of World Youth Day in Lisbon. It is a powerful experience of being Church. It reminds us that the Church though ancient (more than two thousand years old) is ever young and fully alive because Jesus is forever young (he is Life itself). And because the Church is the Body of Christ, “the Church is the real youth of the world.” (Vat.II, ASS 58)
With this awareness, I truly experience these days of the WYD as days of transfiguration. Amidst the scandals that constantly dominate the media, the disillusionment of many of her faithful, her innumerable failures and shortcomings, not to mention our sinfulness… the Church today shines brightly in Lisbon. She is radiant in the joy and enthusiasm of young people who sincerely search for Christ, in the warm hospitality of the people of Portugal, in the great generosity of countless volunteers, in the pastoral readiness of priests to accompany their youth, in the pastoral availability of catechist-bishops to guide the flock, and more particularly in the inspiring presence and words of the Holy Father.
From the clouds, the Father claims Jesus as “my beloved Son, in whom I am wall pleased.” Likewise, in Lisbon, the Father makes the same claim on the Church, the Body of his own Son, “You are my beloved Son.” This was powerfully echoed by Pope Francis in his first address to the youth gathered in Marques de Pombal Park last Wednesday. He said:
“God loves us as we are, not as we would like to be or as society would like us to be. We are called and loved as we are with our defects and limitations, but also with our desire to move forward in life… Don’t be afraid, have courage, go forward knowing that we are loved… God loves us like that; believe it, because God is [our] Father.”
The many activities of the WYD are joyful, creative, and moving at the same time. They profoundly touch the spirit and often move us to tears (like last Friday’s Way of the Cross). One event which personally touched me was the procession of the Jubilee Cross. As the cross was carried by the youth to the stage, the icon of our Blessed Mother was also carried side by side with it. This was particularly significant to me because we just had our pilgrimage to Fatima the day before. The Portuguese proudly call Fatima as the Land of Mary.
The Jubilee Cross and the Marian icon were processed together for Jesus and Mary cannot be separated. As it was Mary who brought Jesus to us, it is Mary who brings us to Jesus. This was the mission and message of Fatima – that sinners may be converted, that all may be brought to Jesus, the Saviour.
Lastly, Mary tells us how. She echoes the same words of the Father on Mount Tabor, “This is my beloved Son… listen to him.” In her turn, she tells us, “Do whatever he tells you.” (Jn 2:5)*
