The idea of the Church as a pilgrim church is not new. It goes back at least as far as Saint Augustine and the fifth century. We do not live for the here and now, we live for the future. We are not content with what is, but struggle to achieve what should be and what will be. As pilgrims on this earth we look to the future. The earth is not heaven, it is the path to heaven.
The Transfiguration of the Lord also looks to the future, it points ahead to the ultimate fulfillment of God’s promise. Whoever is occupied with earthly things, is an “enemy of the cross of Christ.” But whoever follows Christ, keeps their eyes on the light, and occupies their mind with things of Heaven, is a citizen of Heaven and awaits the return of Christ who has prepared our home for us. The promise of Heaven is the fulfillment of the promise God made to Abraham.
In the glorified body of Christ we see the presence of the Holy Trinity and the culmination of all of salvation history. The new covenant between God and man, Heaven and Earth, is embodied in Christ.
In Heaven we will not only be reunited with our glorified bodies but the world of the Creator will be transformed into the world of the Redeemer. In Jesus Christ, as members of His mystical body, we will be fully integrated into the covenant God has made between Him and creation.
Pax Vobiscum
2nd Sunday of Lent