Transfiguration of Our Lord

The Transfiguration of Our Lord

What would we give to be on that mountain top with this group? In today’s Gospel we hear about Jesus taking three of his closest friends with him to a mountain-top to pray together. And while they are there Jesus is transformed  beyond all recognition. His face shines like the sun and his clothes become as white as the light. It is difficult for the apostles to look at him, he is that radiant.

And to add to this, both Moses and Elijah appear alongside him. It is no wonder that they are all gob-smacked; they are taken aback; they are completely thrown by this vision and then they hear a voice from the cloud say, “This is my son; listen to him.”

The Jesus they have walked with and talked with and have come to know and love and respect as teacher, as Rabbi, as Master, is now fully transformed and revealed to them as Son of God, in all his glory and majesty. Wow!

What do you say? What can you say? Well, I think it is easier to say something – whether sensible or not – when the change has been so dramatic and so positive. Jesus changed from the person they loved into this magnificent being, presented in glory and majesty. The change was completely unexpected and they hadn’t prepared for it or worried about it. So what makes our own transformations so much harder, so  much more difficult? 

Jesus was Rabbi, Master, Teacher, Friend, Companion. He knew this and so did they. He changed into something spectacular, something magnificent – but something that he already knew. I believe that he was comfortable and aware of this.

Change is difficult for most of us because it usually means doing something different; being someone different. And because we don’t know what this new different us may be – we are scared and back away from change. But we need to face this head on.

We need to check where we are at, right now. What our mountain-top situation is. What we are doing with our lives at this time and in particular, with our faith-lives. Do we know and are we comfortable with that? We need an honest reality check on where we are at with our faith and our faith-practice. We need to check and find out.

We need to challenge our current practices to see if we are giving God all that we should by way of prayer and attendance to our sacraments. We need to challenge what we have decided is acceptable practice and ask ourselves – “Is this right? Is this fair? Is this acceptable?”

And when we have had this conversation with ourselves, we need to change – we need to transform into something better. We need to change because we know that we are short-changing God our Father. We know that we are not even offering the basics; we are going through the motions; we are getting by with the barest minimum.

Check. Challenge. Change.

Jesus was transfigured on that mountain-top. He let the apostles see him as he really is, in all his glory. What would we give to be in that same situation? Well – what would we give? Are we prepared to honestly check how we are performing as Catholic Christians within this parish of St John’s? Are we prepared to challenge what we do in our daily Catholic Christian lives to assess if it is enough, if it is right and proper and fully reflective of my joy in Christ? Are we prepared to change what we do - to do more; to be more; to offer more; to see more; to feel more and to show more?

There are so many things in the world that we have no control over; that wind us up and irritate us unnecessarily. But there are so many things that we can control; that we can check, challenge and change if we want to and if we are prepared to take responsibility and ownership for. These are things that we need to transfigure; to change into something so much better. These are things that we can offer to God our Father as our worthier offerings. We can be like our transfigured Lord – if we want to check, to challenge and to change. It is up to us. Look in the mirror today and honestly check if you like and respect the person looking back at you – as a Catholic Christian, full of the love and joy of God. Challenge your acceptance of that person and change into something better.

Bidding Prayers

1.      That we have the courage to check where we are at with our faith and the strength of belief in Christ to change who we are into something so  much better. Lord in your mercy

2.      That we challenge what we see in our world that is unfair or unacceptable and act to make more acceptable to Christ. Lord in your mercy

3.      That we change how we practice our faith so that it is more filled with the joy and love of God and we show this in how we greet our neighbours every day. Lord in your mercy

4.      That we seek to change our world from one of war and terror into one of peace and harmony. Lord in your mercy

5.      That all those who are ill in mind, body or spirit receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit to become stronger in faith, hope and love.

6.      That those who have died recently may find eternal rest with the Lord. We remember especially Margaret Allison. Lord in your mercy

7.      That Mary our Mother joins her prayers with ours as we now say together – Hail Mary