Posted on 03/11/2017 7:52:04 PM PST by Salvation
“This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased”
He leads them up on a high mountain to show them the glory of his divinity and to let them know that he was Israel's Savior, as revealed by his prophets...They saw him eat and drink, get tired and rest, sleep, suffer anguish to the point that his sweat became like drops of blood, all things that did not seem to have much to do with his divine nature, but only with his human nature. This is why he leads them up on a high mountain so that the Father may call him “my Son” and show them that he really was his Son and that he was God.
He leads them up on a high mountain and shows them his royalty before suffering, his power before dying, his glory before being insulted and his honor before undergoing ignominy. In this way, when he will be captured and crucified, his apostles will understand that he did not undergo this because of weakness, but to consent and willingly for the salvation of the world.
He leads them up on a high mountain and shows them the glory of his divinity, before his resurrection. In this way, when he will rise from the dead in the glory of his divinity, his disciples will testify that he did not receive this glory as a reward for having suffered – as if he needed to, but that this glory belonged to him long before the centuries, with the Father and in the Father as he himself will say as he approaches his voluntary Passion “Now glorify me, Father, with you, with the glory that I had with you before the world began” (Jn 17,5).
http://www.theworkofgod.org/Devotns/Euchrist/HolyMass/gospels.asp?key=110
Year A - Second Sunday of Lent
Transfiguration - His face shone like the sun
Matthew 17:1-9
1 Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves.
2 And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white.
3 Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him.
4 Then Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
5 While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, “This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!”
6 When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear.
7 But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Get up and do not be afraid.”
8 And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone.
9 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, “Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.” (NRSV)
Inspiration of the Holy Spirit - From the Sacred Heart of Jesus
I had told my apostles about the sufferings and humiliations which I was going to undertake as part of my mission to save the world. Peter was outraged with the Jews and wanted to protect me but I strongly forbade him because whatever I did was always in accordance with the Will of my Heavenly Father. The other apostles did not fully understand my words, since they could not imagine that something as tragic as my predicted death could occur.
They had seen my miracles, they knew who I was. My remaining days on earth were few and I wanted to impress upon them the knowledge of my divinity.
And it was so disposed by the Divine Will that on that night when my three favorite apostles Peter, John and James came with me to the mountain for prayers, I became transfigured before them. They had the opportunity to look at my divine countenance illuminated by the dazzling light of my being, my entire body radiated light, now they really understood that I was “the light of the world, the sun of justice”. To testify of my spiritual connection with the past I was seen with Moses and Elijah. To make this a testimony of God, my Heavenly Father was heard saying “This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!”
No greater consolation could my apostles have in their lifetime, it was a joy that brought renewed courage, enthusiasm and faith to their hearts, which soon would be torn with sorrow for my imminent passion and death.
During the time of the transfiguration Peter said, Lord, it is good for us to be here. And I assure you: it is really good for anyone to come into my Presence and experience the light of my being. It is most rewarding to the soul to seek moments of solitude and prayer in which I come to radiate my light, to give consolation, to strengthen the faith and to share my divinity.
Although you may not see me physically as they apostles did, let me assure you that you are never alone when you pray, I am always ready to listen. The rewards of believing the word of God are beyond your understanding, so there is no time to lose, follow my Father’s advise: “Listen to me!”
Author: Joseph of Jesus and Mary
2nd Sunday of Lent
Reading I: Genesis 12:1-4 II: 2 Timothy 1:8-10
1And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain apart.
2And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his garments became white as light.
3And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Eli'jah, talking with him.
4And 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 Eli'jah."
5He 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."
6When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces, and were filled with awe.
7But Jesus came and touched them, saying, "Rise, and have no fear."
8And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.
9And 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."
God affirms Jesus.
Honor is extremely important in the Jewish culture, and Jesus is going to die a most dishonorable death. This affirmation, and especially the resurrection, ultimately restore the honor of Jesus.
St. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori
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The Angel of the Lord declared to Mary:
Behold the handmaid of the Lord: Be it done unto me according to Thy word.
And the Word was made Flesh: And dwelt among us.
Amen. "Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you" (Lk 1:28) "Blessed are you among women, |
| Matthew | |||
| English: Douay-Rheims | Latin: Vulgata Clementina | Greek NT: Byzantine/Majority Text (2000) | |
| Matthew 17 |
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| 1. | AND after six days Jesus taketh unto him Peter and James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into a high mountain apart: | Et post dies sex assumit Jesus Petrum, et Jacobum, et Joannem fratrem ejus, et ducit illos in montem excelsum seorsum : | και μεθ ημερας εξ παραλαμβανει ο ιησους τον πετρον και ιακωβον και ιωαννην τον αδελφον αυτου και αναφερει αυτους εις ορος υψηλον κατ ιδιαν |
| 2. | And he was transfigured before them. And his face did shine as the sun: and his garments became white as snow. | et transfiguratus est ante eos. Et resplenduit facies ejus sicut sol : vestimenta autem ejus facta sunt alba sicut nix. | και μετεμορφωθη εμπροσθεν αυτων και ελαμψεν το προσωπον αυτου ως ο ηλιος τα δε ιματια αυτου εγενοντο λευκα ως το φως |
| 3. | And behold there appeared to them Moses and Elias talking with him. | Et ecce apparuerunt illis Moyses et Elias cum eo loquentes. | και ιδου ωφθησαν αυτοις μωσης και ηλιας μετ αυτου συλλαλουντες |
| 4. | And Peter answering, said to Jesus: Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles, one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. | Respondens autem Petrus, dixit ad Jesum : Domine, bonum est nos hic esse : si vis, faciamus tria tabernacula, tibi unum, Moysi unum, et Eliæ unum. | αποκριθεις δε ο πετρος ειπεν τω ιησου κυριε καλον εστιν ημας ωδε ειναι ει θελεις ποιησωμεν ωδε τρεις σκηνας σοι μιαν και μωση μιαν και μιαν ηλια |
| 5. | And as he was yet speaking, behold a bright cloud overshadowed them. And lo, a voice out of the cloud, saying: This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased: hear ye him. | Adhuc eo loquente, ecce nubes lucida obumbravit eos. Et ecce vox de nube, dicens : Hic est Filius meus dilectus, in quo mihi bene complacui : ipsum audite. | ετι αυτου λαλουντος ιδου νεφελη φωτεινη επεσκιασεν αυτους και ιδου φωνη εκ της νεφελης λεγουσα ουτος εστιν ο υιος μου ο αγαπητος εν ω ευδοκησα αυτου ακουετε |
| 6. | And the disciples hearing, fell upon their face, and were very much afraid. | Et audientes discipuli ceciderunt in faciem suam, et timuerunt valde. | και ακουσαντες οι μαθηται επεσον επι προσωπον αυτων και εφοβηθησαν σφοδρα |
| 7. | And Jesus came and touched them: and said to them, Arise, and fear not. | Et accessit Jesus, et tetigit eos : dixitque eis : Surgite, et nolite timere. | και προσελθων ο ιησους ηψατο αυτων και ειπεν εγερθητε και μη φοβεισθε |
| 8. | And they lifting up their eyes saw no one but only Jesus. | Levantes autem oculos suos, neminem viderunt, nisi solum Jesum. | επαραντες δε τους οφθαλμους αυτων ουδενα ειδον ει μη τον ιησουν μονον |
| 9. | And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying: Tell the vision to no man, till the Son of man be risen from the dead. | Et descendentibus illis de monte, præcepit eis Jesus, dicens : Nemini dixeritis visionem, donec Filius hominis a mortuis resurgat. | και καταβαινοντων αυτων εκ του ορους ενετειλατο αυτοις ο ιησους λεγων μηδενι ειπητε το οραμα εως ου ο υιος του ανθρωπου εκ νεκρων αναστη |
The second Sunday of Lent always features the Transfiguration. This is because we are following the Lord on His final odyssey to Jerusalem, and this journey up Mt. Tabor was one of His stops (with Peter, James, and John).
It is commonly held that Jesus did this to prepare His apostles for the difficult days ahead. There’s a line from an old spiritual that says, “Sometimes I’m up, sometimes I’m down, sometimes I’m almost on the ground … but see what the end shall be.” This is what the Lord is doing here: He is showing us what the end shall be. There is a cross to get through but there is glory on the other side.
The purpose in placing the account of the Transfiguration here is that it helps describe the pattern of the Christian life, which is the paschal mystery. We are always dying and rising with Christ in repeated cycles as we journey to an eternal Easter (cf 2 Cor4:10). This Gospel shows forth the pattern of the cross: the climb, the rising, and the glory of the mountaintop. Then it is back down the mountain again only to climb another one (Golgotha), and through it find another glory (Easter Sunday). Let’s look at today’s Gospel in three stages.
I. The Purpose of Trials – Jesus took Peter, James, and John and led them up a high mountain apart by themselves.
We often pass over the fact that they had to climb that mountain, no easy task.
Anyone who has been to Mt. Tabor can attest to its altitude: almost 2000 feet. Ascending it likely took the better part of a day and was probably somewhat dangerous. Looking down from the top on the Jezreel Valley (a.k.a. Megiddo or Armageddon) provides a view similar to what one would see out an airplane window.
So we have here a symbol of the cross and of struggle. A climb up the rough side of the mountain was likely exhausting, testing their strength.
I have it on the best of authority that as they climbed they were singing gospel songs like this one: “I’m comin’ up on the rough side of the mountain, and I’m doin’ my best to carry on!” Another song says, “My soul looks back and wonders how I got over!” Yet another says, “We are climbing Jacob’s ladder, every round goes higher, higher.”
This climb reminds us of life. Often we have had to climb, to endure, to have our strength tested. Perhaps it was the climb of earning a college degree. Perhaps it was the climb of raising children or building a career. What of real value do you have that did not come at the price of a climb, of effort and struggle?
Most of us know that although the climb is difficult, there is glory at the top if we but endure. Life’s difficulties are often the prelude to success and greater strength.
Although we might wish that life had no struggles, it would seem that the Lord intends them for us, for the cross alone leads to true glory. Where would we be without some of the crosses in our life? Let’s ponder some of the purposes of problems:
So here it is, the cross symbolized by the climb; but after the cross comes the glory.
II. The Productiveness of Trials – And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no fuller on earth could bleach them. Then Elijah appeared to them along with Moses, and they were conversing with Jesus. Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, “Rabbi, it is good that we are here! Let us make three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” He hardly knew what to say, they were so terrified. Then a cloud came, casting a shadow over them; from the cloud came a voice, “This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.”
All the climbing has paid off. Now comes the fruit of all that hard work. The Lord gives them a glimpse of glory! They get to see the glory that Jesus has always had with the Father. He is dazzlingly bright. A similar vision from the Book of Revelation gives us more detail:
I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and among the lampstands was someone like a son of man, dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. The hair on his head was white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, … His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance. When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades” (Rev 1:12-17).
Yes, all the climbing has paid off. Now comes the glory, the life, the reward for endurance and struggle. Are you enjoying any of the fruits of your crosses now? If we have carried our crosses in faith, it has made us more confident, stronger. Some of us have discovered gifts, abilities, and endurance we never knew we had. Our crosses have brought us life! St. Paul said, that this momentary affliction is producing for us a weight of glory beyond all compare (2 Cor 4:14). He also said, For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us (Rom 8:18).
So here is the glory that comes after the climb. Here is the life that comes from the cross.
III. The Pattern of Trials – Suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone but Jesus alone with them. As they were coming down from the mountain, he charged them not to relate what they had seen to anyone, except when the Son of Man had risen from the dead.
Although Peter wanted to stay, Jesus makes it clear that they must go down the mountain for the time being and walk a very dark valley to another hill (Golgotha); for now, the pattern must repeat. The cross has led to glory, but more crosses are needed before the final glory. An old spiritual says, “We are climbing Jacob’s ladder … every round goes higher, higher, soldiers of the cross!
This is our life. Always carrying within our self the dying of Christ so also that [the rising of Christ], the life of Christ may be manifest in us (cf 2 Cor 4:10).
There are difficult days ahead for Jesus and the Apostles, but the crosses lead to lasting glory. This is our life too. The paschal mystery is the pattern and rhythm of our life.
Here is an excerpt from the song “We Are Climbing Jacob’s Ladder.” The song repeats, “… every round goes higher, higher.” One can almost imagine a spiral staircase as the rounds get pitched higher musically. This is the pattern of our life: we die with Christ so as to live with Him. Each time we come back around to the cross, or back around to glory, we are one round higher and one level closer to final glory.
Image: Portrait of Aniela Salawa in the Franciscan church in Krakow | photo by Miezian
Angela served Christ and Christ’s little ones with all her strength.
Born in Siepraw, near Kraków, Poland, she was the 11th child of Bartlomiej and Ewa Salawa. In 1897, she moved to Kraków where her older sister Therese lived. Angela immediately began to gather together and instruct young women domestic workers. During World War I, she helped prisoners of war without regard for their nationality or religion. The writings of Teresa of Avila and John of the Cross were a great comfort to her.
Angela gave great service in caring for soldiers wounded in World War I. After 1918, her health did not permit her to exercise her customary apostolate. Addressing herself to Christ, she wrote in her diary, “I want you to be adored as much as you were destroyed.” In another place, she wrote, “Lord, I live by your will. I shall die when you desire; save me because you can.”
At her 1991 beatification in Kraków, Pope John Paul II said: “It is in this city that she worked, that she suffered and that her holiness came to maturity. While connected to the spirituality of St. Francis, she showed an extraordinary responsiveness to the action of the Holy Spirit” (L’Osservatore Romano, volume 34, number 4, 1991).
Humility should never be mistaken for lack of conviction, insight or energy. Angela brought the Good News and material assistance to some of Christ’s “least ones.” Her self-sacrifice inspired others to do the same.
Feast Day: February 14
Born: 758, Constantinople
Died: 817
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Sunday, March 12
Liturgical Color: Violet
Today the Church recalls St.
Seraphina, virgin. St. Seraphina
was stricken by a malady that
made any movement painful.
She united her suffering with
Christ’s and spent her life
performing tasks for those less
fortunate than herself. She died
in 1253.
March 12, 2017 (Readings on USCCB website)
O God, who have commanded us to listen to your beloved Son, be pleased, we pray, to nourish us inwardly by your word, that, with spiritual sight made pure, we may rejoice to behold your glory. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Old Calendar: Second Sunday of Lent
Between Moses and Elias Jesus shows forth His divine glory, thus foreshadowing His resurrection. He is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end of all things. Today's Mass places before us the transfigured Lord and the model toward Whom we must tend, and our own transfiguration as the goal we must attain. We attain this goal by a profound realization of our sinfulness and need of a Redeemer; by preserving purity of body and soul; by combating our passions and carnal instincts and observing the commandments and most importantly by participating in the Mass. — Excerpted from Cathedral Daily Missal
Click here for commentary on the readings in the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite.
Sunday Readings
The first reading is taken from the book of Genesis 12:1-4. In due time God began the remote preparation for the Incarnation. Almost 2,000 years before Christ was to come he selected Abram to be the father of a people who would be his special friends, his "Chosen People," and through them, the fullness of his revelation. Christ, would come to all men. This is the divine event read for us today.
The second reading is from the letter of St. Paul to Timothy 2 Tim 1:8-10. Timothy, son a pagan father and a Jewish mother, became a Christian, together with his mother Eunice and his grandmother Lois, on his first visit to Lystra. Later, Paul appointed him head of the church at Ephesus. This epistle is principally concerned with the pastoral duties of pastors or shepherds of the communities.
The Gospel is from St. Matthew 17:1-9. This momentary vision of Christ, in his glory, was given in order to strengthen the three principal Apostles to face the trials to their faith, which the sufferings and crucifixion of their beloved master would bring on them. For the very same reason it is retold to us today, in the early part of Lent, to encourage us to persevere in our Lenten mortification. It reminds us that, very soon, the Easter bells will be ringing out their message of joy once more. If we are sharers with Christ in his sufferings, we shall be sharers with him in his glory as St. Paul reminds us.
This is a truth we all too easily forget, namely, that we cannot and do not get to heaven in a limousine. Our spell on earth is the chance given us by our heavenly Father to earn an eternal reward. This reward surpasses even the wildest imagination of man. We could never earn it, but God accepts the little we can do and provides the balance of his infinite mercy. And yet there are many, far too many, who refuse even that little bit that is asked of them, and are thus running the risk of not partaking in God's scheme for their eternal happiness.
And are they any happier during their few years on this earth by acting thus towards the God of mercy? Can they, by ignoring God and their duties towards him, remove all pain, all sorrow, all sufferings, from their daily lives? Death, which means a total separation from all we possessed and cherished in this world, is waiting around the corner for all of us. Who can face it more calmly and confidently —he man who is firmly convinced that it is the gateway to a new life, and who has done his best to earn admission through that gateway, or the man who has acted all his life as if death did not exist for him, and who has done everything to have the gate to the new life shut forever in his face?
Illnesses and troubles and disappointments are the lot of all men. They respect neither wealth, nor power, nor position. The man who knows his purpose in life, and is ever striving to reach the goal God's goodness has planned for him, can and will see in these trials of life the hand of a kind father who is preparing him for greater things. His sufferings become understandable and more bearable because of his attitude to life and its meaning. The man who ignores God and tries to close the eyes of his mind to the real facts of life has nothing to uphold him or console him in his hours of sorrow and pain. Yet, sorrow and pain will dog his footsteps, strive as he will to avoid them, and he can see no value, no divine purpose in these, for him, misfortunes.
Christ has asked us to follow him, carrying our daily cross, and the end of our journey is not Calvary but resurrection, the entrance to a life of glory with our risen Savior. The Christian who grasps his cross closely and willingly, knowing its value for his real life, will find it becomes lighter and often not a burden but a pleasure. The man who tries to shuffle off his cross, and who curses and rebels against him who sent it, will find it doubles its weight and loses all the value it was intended to have for his true welfare.
Let the thought of the Transfiguration encourage each one of us today, to do the little God demands of us, so that when we pass out of this life we may be assured of seeing Christ in his glory, ready to welcome us into his everlasting, glorious kingdom.
— Excerpted from The Sunday Readings Cycle A, Fr. Kevin O' Sullivan, O.F.M.
2nd Sunday of Lent
This is my beloved Son. (Matthew 17:5)
Jesus’ Transfiguration was one of the most magnificent displays of God’s glory the world has seen. The purpose of the Transfiguration was to give his apostles, and all of us, a deeper understanding of who he is. So let’s see what we can learn from it.
Clearly, this was a dramatic revelation for Peter, James, and John. They never forgot what happened that day. Decades after it happened, John wrote, “We saw his glory” (John 1:14). Peter said, “We had been eyewitnesses of his majesty . . . when that unique declaration came to him from the majestic glory” (2 Peter 1:16, 17). The Transfiguration showed them that the kingdom of God that Jesus had been preaching would be characterized by glory. But it also encouraged them and strengthened them for the ordeal of the cross that lay before them. For as they learned at Calvary, the glory of God comes not only through displays of magnificence, but also through self-giving love—a love that embraces even death.
The Holy Spirit wants us to learn both of these concepts of glory. He wants us to see that Jesus is glorified every time we worship him at Mass and in prayer, and he is glorified every time we go out of our way to help someone. He is glorified when we reverence him during Eucharistic adoration, and he is glorified every time we confess our sins or forgive someone who has hurt us.
Let these lessons about glory and self-giving love sink into your heart. As you dwell on the glory of Jesus’ Transfiguration, see that it is a glory that comes because of his cross. Then, tell him that you want to be changed into his glorious image. Ask him to take your every act of love and fill it with his presence. It really is possible for us to live “for the praise of his glory” (Ephesians 1:12).
“Jesus, open my eyes to the glory that you displayed before Peter, James, and John. Let that glory reign in my heart.”
Genesis 12:1-4
Psalm 33:4-5, 18-20, 22
2 Timothy 1:8-10
SPIRITUAL JOURNEY
(A biblical refection on THE SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT [YEAR A] – 12 March 2017)
Gospel Reading: Matthew 17:1-9
First Reading: Genesis 12:1-4a; Psalms: Psalm 33:4-5,18-19,20,22; Second Reading: 2 Timothy 1:8b-10
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 on 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.” (Matthew 17:1-9 RSV)
Spiritual journey is a common expression used to refer to one’s religious life. From the French language, jour (day), it describes one’s daily progress in walking with the Lord and each other as a woman or man of faith. The word “journal”, also from the same root, means a daily record of events. Each person’s journey is unique and must always be treated as such. We have different times of beginning and ending, and a lifetime of varieties in between. The important similarity of all journeys is that we move through life according to the same measured pace of time. We know that change is inevitable and that we are subject to it, willingly or otherwise.
We can appreciate the unwavering faith of Abraham in the first reading, as he obeys the call of his God to leave behind his father’s house and native land, to journey into the uncharted future, into a totally new type of life. We increase our admiration when we realize that he was 75 years old at that time.
Abraham is for us an inspiring model of faith, who was willing to trust God completely by letting go of earthly securities, as he ventured out of what is currently Iraq to Palestine. There, he was given a new name and became the father of a new nation and a new religion. Because of Abraham, we should never say or even think that we are too old to make a change for the better.
Another type of spiritual journey occurs in today’s Gospel, in the lives of three chosen apostles. They climb up a high mountain with the Master and, once on top, soar into ecstasy as they behold the transfigured Savior conversing with Moses and Elijah. Their doubts are for the time being removed, for they have seen the glory of the Lord. It was a mystical journey into the brilliance of paradise.
God promises this same reward to any of us willing to abandon the safe place and familiar faces for a faith-filled journey into the night of the unknown. An act of simple trust is the first step that will bring us face to face with the transfigured Jesus.
The season of Lent is a constant reminder of our invitation from the Master to always seek the better life. We hear the Church reassuring all pilgrim people that their efforts are far outweighed by the divine glory to be gained. The stories presented in today’s liturgy are not meant to glorify Abraham or the Apostles, but to make us believe that these grace-filled adventures can also be ours. Our journeys can all have happy endings, provided we are willing to venture forth each day with trusting faith.
Short Prayer: Lord Jesus, from Your transfiguration, You teach me that my spiritual journey can have a happy ending, provided I am willing to venture forth each day with an unwavering and trusting faith in You. Amen.
Daily Marriage Tip for March 12, 2017:
Just as Jesus was transfigured and appeared gloriously to Peter, James, and John (Mk 9: 2-10) so too love for your spouse can bring out the best in the other. Recall for a moment your wedding day and the wonder of seeing each other clothed in splendor.
Beloved: Bear your share of hardships for the gospel with the strength that comes from God. 2 Timothy 1:8
As hard as we try, we simply cannot avoid suffering in our lives! For both religious and non-religious people, suffering is simply part of the human experience. Neither money, television, good health, alcohol nor drugs can insulate us from the cross. Many of us simply do not understand the value of suffering. In the transfiguration, Peter, James and John would have preferred to stay on the mountaintop with Jesus in glory forever. In a sense they were briefly in heaven, and who would want to leave that place? Yet Christ made it very clear to them – and to us – that before we can enter into the incredible glory that will be ours, we must first bear our share of suffering with Jesus by going through the valley of the cross with him.
How often we waste our crosses because we don’t understand their value. We do all we can to get away from them, of course, and yet sufferings find us all the same. Suffering always has intense meaning when it is united to Jesus. Suffering without Jesus or without love can often seem to be meaningless.
Saint Paul said “In my own sufferings I fill up what is lacking in the sufferings of Christ.” How can anything be lacking in Christ’s sufferings? Christ’s death on the cross was indeed perfect and sufficient, but even after Christ’s death on the cross, there still remains that particular cross that you and Jesus were meant to share together. Jesus wanted St. Paul – and you—to “share” in his suffering so as to share in his glory. You will have particular crosses that Jesus will offer you. If you reject these, you will have lost a way to
love Jesus forever.
Saint Margaret Mary, the great apostle of the Sacred Heart, has a prayer she liked to say when she was suffering, which I pray often and would like to share with you. She used that old Catholic principle of suffering well by “offering it up” to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. She said:
“Therefore, you must unite yourselves to the Heart of our Lord Jesus Christ, both at the beginning of your conversion in order to obtain proper dispositions, and at its end in order to make reparation. In the course of every activity pray as follows: My God, I do this or I endure that in the Heart of Your Son and according to his holy counsels. I offer it to you in reparation for anything blameworthy or imperfect in my actions. Continue to do this in every circumstance of life. And every time some punishment, affliction or injustice comes your way, say to yourself, ‘Accept this as sent to you by the Sacred Heart of Jesus in order to unite yourself to Him.”
By placing a simple prayer such as this in your prayer book and learning it, you too can learn to unite your sufferings to Christ and so share his glory more fully one day.
Father Gary
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