Word on Fire is brought to you by Catholic cemeteries, serving the Chicago area since 1837.

This is Cardinal Francis George, and I invite you to join me for the next few minutes to reflect with Father Robert Baron on the Word of God, which is the Word on Fire.

Father Baron will challenge us to open our hearts to the Word on Fire, which is God's Word of Love for each of us.

If our hearts are open, the Lord can change and transform us, who we might speak with love about the One who is Love.

The Archdiocese of Chicago, through the generosity of Sacred Heart Parish and Winetka, now presents the Word on Fire.

Peace be with you. Friends are gospel for this second Sunday of Lent is the magnificent account of the Transfiguration, found in the Gospel of Mark.

This event obviously captured the imaginations of the first Christians. We can find accounts of the Transfiguration in all three of the synoptic gospels, and up and down the centuries.

It's been a kind of treasure trove for theologians and spiritual writers, drawing from this event enormous insights about the Christian life.

In fact, I think last year when another version of the Transfiguration came up in our readings, I share with you some of Thomas Aquinas' great reflections.

Well, he's just one figure among many who draw from this event enormous insight.

What I want to do today in looking at Mark's version is to put this event in its very clear Jewish and biblical framework.

The Transfiguration takes place on a mountain. Listen to how it begins, this account.

Jesus took Peter, James, and John, and led them up a high mountain apart by themselves.

Right away, we are linked powerfully to the Old Testament.

Many of the great events in the Old Testament in Salvation History took place on a mountain.

Noah's Ark comes to rest on Mount Ararat, and there the first great sacrifice and covenant is made between God and the human race.

Abraham is willing to sacrifice his son on Mount Mariah. Moses received the law on Mount Sinai.

Mountains figure prominently throughout the Bible as places of encounter between God and human beings.

We as it were going up, God as it were coming down to meet us.

How powerful, by the way, that in Jesus' life and career, mountains figure prominently.

He gives the new law, because he's the new Moses, on a mountain, the sermon on a mount.

He dies on Mount Calvary, and now here, at the midpoint of his public ministry, Jesus takes three of his special disciples up a mountain, and there he is transfigured before them.

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