Second Sunday of Lent

In Jewish thought the presence of God is connected with a cloud. Moses met God in a cloud. During the exodus the people followed a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. A cloud filled Solomon’s temple. The cloud in today’s story of the Transfiguration indicated the Messiah had come. From the cloud came the voice of the Father: “Listen to him.” Moses and Elijah, lawgiver and prophet, saw in Jesus the consummation of the promised Messiah. Their presence assured Jesus that the cross was the right choice. His mission would be from cross to resurrection.