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Bishop's Homily for the Second Sunday of Lent

March 16, 2025

(dee karen / Shutterstock.com)

Homily of Most Reverend Larry Silva, Bishop of Honolulu
[Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace, Honolulu]

Last July, I had the privilege of attending the National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis. It was a great experience, but there were two particular moments I remember. One was in the stadium, where about 50,000 people were gathered. We were talking, laughing, meeting people from all over the country. But then the music began, the lights went out, and the Blessed Sacrament was processed into the stadium. There was suddenly utter silence from the crowds, and all were focused on the Lord Jesus, who was present with us. The second was during the Eucharistic Procession through the streets of Indianapolis. They lined us up in groups. The first group was women and men religious, and there were perhaps 2,000 in that group. The next group was priests, with perhaps 1,000. Then the bishops came out, about 100 in number. As each group came out, the crowds on the street cheered us. I thought to myself, “This must be what entering heaven is like! The throngs of the friends of Jesus are there to joyfully greet you as you enter.” These experiences I recall from time to time, and they give me great joy.

Every now and then, God gives us these high points in life to remind us of our ultimate destiny. He lets those moments shine brilliantly not only so that we can enjoy them at the time of their occurrence, but so that we can look back and recall them for strength during difficult times. One’s engagement or wedding day, the birth of a child, the celebration of a special anniversary can all be moments of brilliant light that can get us through more difficult times. Living a marriage is not always so romantic, and raising a child is hard work, yet remembering those special moments can renew and strengthen us at difficult times.

This is why the Church has chosen the Gospel of the Transfiguration of Jesus for the Second Sunday of Lent. Jesus certainly experienced many trials in his life, being constantly criticized, feeling frustrated that his disciples did not always “get it,” being hunted down by the authorities, tortured and crucified. He knew that seeing these things would be extremely difficult for his disciples, not just because they witnessed their beloved Master and friend being so cruelly and unjustly treated, but because they knew that, as his disciples, they, too, could be subject to the same.

And so, Jesus takes three of his disciples, Peter, John and James – his three most intimate friends, it seems, since he takes only them with him at other special moments – to strengthen them against the scandal of the cross – his Exodus, which he was to accomplish in Jerusalem. There he was with the living symbols of the Law and the Prophets, Moses and Elijah, speaking to him about his impending suffering, but at the same time basking in his heavenly glory. Moses and Elijah also knew suffering and rejection in their lives, yet they remained ever faithful to their missions, and so they were rewarded not only with heaven for themselves, but as being shown forth by the Lord himself as sharing his glory.

There are many occasions and instances of darkness in our lives. Sometimes there is depression, not seeing any light that gives us hope. Sometimes we are overwhelmed with grief at the loss of a loved one. We feel terrible when we see so many homeless people around us living in squalor rather than in the dignity they deserve, but we often feel helpless in figuring out how to solve such a huge and complex problem. Sometimes we experience rejection and suffering in our homes, the very place where we should feel safe and loved. It is at these times that we should think of brighter days and remember the brilliant glory that God wants us all to share, and that he lets us glimpse, however briefly, from time to time.

We are here on the mountaintop whenever we come to this table of remembrance. Here we listen to the law and the prophets as their words are proclaimed to us in the Scriptures. Here we encounter the risen Lord in all his glory. We may not always see that glory, since it is often hidden from our eyes, but if we see with the eyes of faith, we will be able to see the brilliance of Jesus, shining right before our very eyes. It is that vision that is meant to strengthen us when we go back down the mountain to our everyday occupations, with their joys and their sorrows, their lights and their shadows. We are given the privilege of encountering the risen Lord here in this memorial of his death and resurrection, so that we can be strengthened ourselves and strengthen others when we encounter the darker moments of life. We accept them more readily and even grow because of them, if we remember always the glory and brilliance of the Lord Jesus we encounter here, where he shows us the fullness of his love and floods our lives with joy.