“HONEY FROM THE ROCK”
Daily Reflections
Sunday, 6th August 2017.
Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord
Daniel 7:9-10. 13-14;
Psalm 96:1-2, 5-6, 9;
2 Peter 1: 16-19;
Matthew 17: 1-9.
FIXING OUR EYES ON CHRIST, AND HIS GLORY
There are two times in the liturgical calendar that we reflect on the Transfiguration, the 2nd Sunday of Lent to affirm the Divinity of Christ before his passion and death and today, to celebrate the exaltation of Christ to his glory. Above all the Transfiguration shows forth the Trinity: the Father in the voice, the Son in the man Jesus, the Spirit in the shining cloud. God here gives us a glimpse of his inner life. St Leo the Great says that "The principal aim of the Transfiguration was to banish from the disciples' souls the scandal of the Cross". Among other things, let's consider two things today: First, the fact that Jesus is perfect God and perfect man. His life and his doctrine are not a human invention. His words are not just an opinion. It's God Himself who speaks to us in his Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ. Second, we were created in the image and likeness of God and we are called to eternal happiness, body and soul, in heaven.
It was a cool winter morning a boy named Philip was distributing the pamphlets in the streets of his neighborhood. The title of that pamphlet was, “God loves you, have Faith in Him”. He had covered all houses, except one. He went to that house and rang the doorbell. But there was no response. He rang the bell again, there was still no response. But then on the third time when he rang the bell a lady came out. Young Philip gave a broad smile and said these words; Dear madam, God loves you, have Faith in him. The lady laughed at him and shut the door. Few years later, the lady gave a testimony in a media, saying: “today I am alive, because of that young boy who came to my house and said madam, God loves you have Faith in him. I saw Jesus speaking to me through that boy. I was desperate within myself. I did not want to live, I wanted to commit suicide. But that boy saved me. Though I do not know where he is today, but I would like to thank Him for making me aware that God loves me. I am precious in the hands of God.
There are certain incidents in our life which make us happy, and certain incidents that make us unhappy. For some such unhappy incidents, trigger unhappiness and depression, to the point of ending one’s life. Many youth, elderly people do not find meaning in their life, the only solution they find is to end their life. But today’s liturgy calls us to be filled with hope in Christ and he will comfort us in our entire difficult situation.
In the first reading, Prophet Daniel sees a Vision. He sees God’s glorious kingdom. It was a time when Jews were suffering under the persecution of the Greek king Antiochus IV. In order to give the Jews hope in their sufferings, they are told that God’s kingdom will prevail in the end.
The second reading of Saint Peter was addressed to Christians in Rome, who were weary of persecution and were suffering by the troubling delay of the long awaited second coming of the Lord. Peter tells those who doubted and those whose faith was shaken, that the risen Lord is already reigning now and that he would return. They are to wait with patience as one waits for the dawn to appear and the morning star to rise.
In the Gospel we hear about Jesus’ transfiguration. Before Jesus was transfigured he went to the mountain to pray to his Father. Though Jesus knew he had to undergo sufferings and to die on a cross, he went to the mountain to ask His heavenly Father, “Am I doing your Will?” One of the greatest differences between Jesus and us is that Jesus always asked, “What does God wish me to do” but we always ask: “what do I wish to do”
When Jesus went to a mountain there appeared with him, Moses and Elijah. Prophet Moses was considered as the greatest of all the law givers in the Old Testament. He was supremely and uniquely the man who brought God’s law to the people of Israel. Elijah was the greatest of all the prophets; in him the voice of God spoke to men with unique directness. Through the appearance of these Elijah, and Moses, the disciples knew the Jesus was the true messiah who was come to liberate the people from all their suffering and problems.
The theophany of the cloud and voice of God, answers all the questions that Jesus asked to His Abba Father. It was a sign of Hope from His Father that He would accompany Him in His ministry of proclaiming the kingdom of God and also in his difficult moments. It was this experience on the Mount of Transfiguration which enabled Jesus to walk the way to the cross.
God also speaks to us through the word of God. How attentive we are when God speaks to us?
The Transfiguration offers us a message of hope and encouragement. In moments of doubt and during feelings of despair, the expectation of our transformation in Heaven helps us to reach out to God and listen to His consoling words: “This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased.” Transfiguration also helps us to change our life from worldly thinking to heavenly thinking. Worldly happiness is temporary and disappears after a while, but the happiness that we receive from Jesus will remain with us forever. We are called to trust in the Lord always. It is only through our living memory of Jesus’ faithful life suffering, death and resurrection that we can keep hope that the final flash of light will signal the salvation and not destruction of humanity. Every Eucharist that we celebrate is a call for us to be transformed in our Life. It is also a call for us to feel His presence when the bread and wine becomes the body and blood of Christ. Let the Body and blood that we receive may help us to transform our life. Amen
Reflect, today, upon the beautiful and profound transformation that God has done and continues to desire to do in your soul. Know that He wants you to fix your eyes upon this glory and forever remain grateful for it, especially as you endure any cross you are given.
Prayer: Lord, may I see Your glory and the glory that You have bestowed upon my own soul. May my eyes forever remain fixed on that grace. May I see You and Your glory especially in difficult times. Jesus, I trust in You. Amen.
P.S: Source: Homily by Rev. Deacon Ashwin Aranha, Udupi Diocese, India