Monastery Happenings 2017-08-06 15:11:00
August 6, 2017 by
 |
LET’S PRAY THAT GOD WOULD MAKE EACH DAY A FEAST OF TRANSFIGURATION FOR US |
LET’S PRAY THAT GOD WOULD MAKE EACH DAY A FEAST OF TRANSFIGURATION FOR US
(A biblical reflection on the Feast of THE TRANSFIGURATION OF THE LORD – Sunday, 6 August 2017
Gospel Reading: Matthew 17:1-9
First Reading: Dan 7:9-10.13-14; Psalms: Psalm 97:1-2,5-6,9; Second Reading: 2 Peter 1:16-19
The Scripture Text
And after six days Jesus took with Him Peter and James and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain apart. And He was transfigured before them, and His face shone like the sun, and His garments became white as light. And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with Him. And Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is well that we are here; if You wish, I will make three booths here, one for You and one for Moses and one for Elijah. He was still speaking, when lo, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is My beloved Son,” with whom I am well pleased; listen to Him.” When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces, and were filled with awe. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and have no fear.” And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.And as they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, “Tell no one the vision, until the Son of man is raised from the dead.” (Mat 17:1-9 RSV)
In a scene that sounds very much like the experience of a select few Old Testament prophets, the three apostles saw Jesus suddenly transformed and radiating a heavenly light. And, like the prophets before them, they too were overwhelmed by the vision. Here He was this familiar rabbi, gleaming with the glory of God and talking with Elijah and Moses! They had never seen anything like it before.
The promise of the feast of the Transfiguration is that what only a few prophets were privileged to receive in the Old Testament – what only a few disciples saw while Jesus walked the earth – is now available to each and every member of the body of Christ. We live in the age of the Church, an age of grace and revelation for all the people of God, The barrier of sin has been removed, and heaven can be opened for all of us.
Granted, we may not have visions as dramatic as these three disciples’. Nevertheless, each of us can expect the gift of revelation from God. Each of us can be lifted up above the everyday experiences of life and be filled with “the light of the glory of God” (2 Corinthians 4:6). All it takes is consistent prayer and an open heart.
Jesus wants to work through us to build His Kingdom here on earth. Like the apostles, we will become able to share in His mission by coming to know Him. Every day, we can enter into the secret place of the Lord’s presence and be filled with His love. Every day, the Holy Spirit wants to shine the light of Christ into our hearts and transform us into His image (2 Corinthians 3:18).
Every day, He wants to fill us with His compassion for the poor and suffering, and His mercy for the sinful. Let us pray that God would make each day a feast of the Transfiguration for us.
Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, thank You for the precious gift of Your Holy Spirit. Lift us up into the realm of the Spirit every day so that we can bring Your life to our families and to the world. Amen.
Jakarta, 4 August 2017 [Memoria of St. John Mary Vianney]
A Christian Pilgrim
