Genesis 15:5-12, 17-18; Ps 27:1, 7-9, 13-14; Philippians 3:17 – 4:1; Luke 9:28b-36 .
These readings continue to remind us that God is the creator of all and He has a wonderful plan for His creation, which includes our lives. The Genesis reading tells us how God made a covenant with Abraham as the chieftain of his tribe that God would give Abraham’s descendants the land, from the Wadi of Egypt to the Great River, The Euphrates. God was faithful and gave Abraham’s offspring the land, which became eventually, became the Jewish nation under Moses. Psalm 27 praises God for His faithfulness and light.
In Luke’s gospel section today we have Jesus preparing His followers for a greater vision of His mission on earth, His death and resurrection. He was their long expected Messiah. He came to love, heal and teach us how to live in His new kingdom on earth. Yet St. Paul tells us in the second reading that our home is not here on earth. It is to be in heaven, after this life, where God lives with all His angels and saints in glory.
In the transfiguration story Jesus had to show Peter, John and James a glimpse of His glorified Body to strengthen them for what He must do to take away the sins of the entire human race so it could be brought back into God’s kingdom of light and goodness. In His transfiguration Jesus is speaking with Moses and Elijah. The three apostles do not understand. How could they since they had not received yet the light of the Holy Spirit? On the mountain with Jesus they had a glimpse of the Holy Trinity. The Father’s voice is heard from the cloud, “This is My chosen Son; listen to Him.” And the Holy Spirit is represented by the cloud.
What is our application from this? What weeds in our lives are preventing us from understanding our place in all this? St. John tells us in 8:31-2 NJB of his gospel; “if you make My Word your home, you will indeed be My disciples (students), you will learn My truth and that truth will set you free.” We do we spend some of our extra time on each day? Do we watch TV for many hours or have our time gobbled up by the computer or play video games? Can we turn away from those things, pray to the Holy Spirit for light and wisdom and read and study the New Testament? Then we shall see more clearly how we are to grow in the holiness of God’ kingdom and see more clearly the evil around us each day. As we learn more of God’s greater insights, we can more powerfully be Christ to others. Have a blessed week. + Fr. Bob Hilz, TOR.
Father Bob:
These are encouraging words that I needed to hear!!