When was the last time that you were amazed – something you did not expect, something out of the ordinary, something almost unbelievable? Well, less things surprise us as we get older because, so to speak, we’ve seen it all before. That is why videos of babies getting so excited over the simplest of things can amuse and bemuse us.

A moment of excitement can be so good, but so unexpected, like the videos we used to see of people winning the Publishers Clearing House contest. On other occasions, amazement can bring sadness because the unexpected has caused havoc. Think of our amazement in 2020 when we were on the threshold of the Coronavirus.

Amazement means that we are not in control. Whether the source of our amazement is something good or something evil, we are not in control, the cause of our amazement is totally beyond us.

In the Gospel passage for this Sunday, we have the story of the Transfiguration. Peter, James, and John are utterly amazed at what happens to Jesus and ultimately at what happens to them. Matthew tells us that Jesus’ face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light, and he was surrounded by Moses and Elijah. Ultimately the voice of God is heard saying: “This is my beloved Son; listen to him.”

This amazing event allows the disciples to see, meaning to understand, Jesus differently than they ever had before. True amazement always changes one’s life or at least it should. The winners of the Publisher’s Clearing House and the victims of the coronavirus all had their lives changed. Peter, James and John were, I am sure, different after the Transfiguration than they were before the event. They saw and fully realized that Jesus is truly God.

All of us, on one occasion or another, have an experience that we just cannot explain, an experience that goes beyond words such as the experience of Peter, James and John. Psychologists call these moments peak experiences. We call them divine moments when these experiences give us a glimpse into who God is and the nature of our relationship with him.

Perhaps, we can be an amazement to others that we encounter. Peter, James and John saw the value, the depth, the greatness of Jesus in this moment of Transfiguration. Perhaps, we, too, could help others see the depth and the greatness of Jesus in the words that we say and don’t say and in the lives that we lead.

Soon, we will begin the second week of Lent. Are you amazed at your progress this Lent? Amazed at how well you have done? Or, perhaps, amazed at how little you have done? If you have done well, you are probably surprised that you could really make some progress and that your life is different. If you have not done well, it is not too late. It’s better to start Lent late than not to start at all.

Lent is a time for asking ourselves how well we are living out our calling, how well we are letting our light shine before others so that they may see and praise our God. If we are doing well, continue doing so. If we are not doing well, then begin again to live out our calling. While we live, it is never too late.

When we receive Communion, we are touched by the Real Presence of Jesus just as powerfully as the three disciples were on that mountaintop. As Lent continues, don’t “give up.” Instead, “give in” to the Holy Spirit. What a beautiful way to celebrate this Lenten season!