Wednesday, February 25, 2015

The Transfiguration of Jesus

To Peter, James and John going up the mountain to pray with Jesus resulting in the transfiguration of Jesus, is a kaleidoscope; snapshots of past, present and future images, flowing before their eyes. Their strong exposure to God begins quietly, prayerfully; it is their journey of faith upward on the mountainous journey toward highest faith, love, and communion. Images implode their human minds; reflection will be needed to assimilate the experience. Seeing their rabbi, teacher, human friend, Jesus luminous; radiating light from within, shining so brightly, engage their senses. There is no haze, no dust mites to distort the image-only clear, crisp unbelievably bright light. It is true- human and divine natures intersect within Jesus.

The Apostles are exhilarated, joyful, and fearful of the magnificent vision. It is an Abraham moment of faith. The experience rises with love from their very depth, their heart and souls as they “see,” witness, Jesus in new light. They stop in their tracks, fall to their knees as God’s glory, the Source of light, permeate their bodies. Truth and love merge. Reality is changed before their eyes.

The image of the first Adam before the fall is called from their memory. First man, Adam, his light, the bright clothing over his body, is now Jesus, the new Adam. The Apostles look forward to the powerful light of their bodies after earthly death as they rise upward in praise of the Father.

Moses and Elijah are with Jesus; they are the Law and the Messianic prophet of the Old Testament. Jesus is the fulfillment of the Old Testament. Jesus as Savior- His authority, His mission, is heard by the Apostles. This is the Son of Man going forth in His glory to His Passion, Death and Resurrection. The true Messiah has come to earth and His mission will end in glory- glory given by the Father to His Son. The cross and the glory are intertwined by Christ’s love for man; the Messiah triumphs over sin, evil and death and Jesus is given the light of glory by God, His Father.

God speaks to the Apostles who will witness, give testimony to Jesus as Son of God with God’s authority and God’s words. God acknowledges His Son by His “sign” of luminous light. Listen, He commands; listen to His words of truth and life. Listen to His love for all men; listen to His obedience to the Father. Listen man, have your heart transformed- become the man I created you to be when I created Adam; become your full potential. Listen to the command Jesus gives- Love the Lord; love one another. (Matt22:36-40)

Is it any wonder Peter wanted to build tents here on the mountain where Jesus is transfigured into light? Let us remember this true Festival of Tabernacles; let us honor the Exodus whereby God leads His people out of the Egypt of their sin. Tents of material could never hold Jesus’ supernatural light; only man’s heart could receive the light of love and then pour love out for others; love returning to Love ten-fold- the true sacrifice for man’s sin.

How can we receive the vision of Christ’s Transfiguration? How can we overcome the “clouding of the image of God” in today’s world? We can only look inside ourselves, desire and beg Him for His mercy and love to see the true light which Jesus brings to us.
“This is the time of fulfillment. The Kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe in the gospel.” (Mk1:15)
Wild beasts of evil and sin roam the world today as in earlier times. Evil is not an illusion; God is not superfluous, and man cannot be indifferent. Man is not in control of the earth, himself. Man is not God, no matter how much he sacrifices himself to the reasoning of the wild beasts of the world. Only God is creator; only God can control the floods of destruction. Only God has made a covenant with man through Noah and others; only God has promised man to send One who will enable man to overcome the wild beasts- even the wild beasts within man.

God sent His Son- the One He loves, the One who loves us- the One who showed His love on Good Friday and who rose from the dead on Easter Sunday. He did this once, for all men, for all time. We remember, we love, we imitate.

Lent is a preparation, an arming of ourselves, a Christian “boot camp”, if you will. Lent is forty days of preparation as Christ prepared for His mission of love and redemption for the world.

John and Jesus call sinners to “repent and believe”. Repent is to leave behind something and move toward Someone. Lent is time to leave behind old ways of destruction, old self-attachments -to “die to self” and to live in Christ. It is time to overcome apathy, discouragement, pretension of self-sufficiency and let God enter one’s heart. Now is the time to look carefully inside oneself- to unite one’s body and soul, mind and heart into a living love – to refocus one’s life.

Now is the time to reflect and ask oneself:

What temptations are most prevalent in me?

In what way have I hurt others and God?

What are the gods in my life?

Repentance involves making a decision:

With whom do I want my heart to stay?

Now is the time to make a proactive stance that will allow one to grow closer to Christ. It should not be viewed as a problem to solve, rather, “How can my actions be pleasing to God? How can my prayers, charity open hearts to Christ?” Only when I am submissive to Him, can I beg for God’s help and mercy.

Lent is the time of fulfillment for man’s response to God’s love.

Saturday, February 7, 2015

“He APPROACHED, GRASPED her hand and HELPED her up. Then the fever LEFT her and she WAITED on them.” (Mark1:31)

Jesus has had a busy day- teaching in the synagogue, expelling unclean spirits, speaking to the crowds. Now his human nature requires rest, aloneness with his disciples when he may want to alone with his Father. There is no rest for Jesus; his time on earth is limited and he has much to do.

Jesus and his disciples go to Peter’s house where Peter’s mother-in law lies ill. Jesus goes to her, extending his hand with power and love. Here is a God who can touch one. Touching, one is able to see, to wonder, to be amazed, to become open. Here is a new reality. God is present among his people- active in their lives with the sound of his voice and the touch of his hand. God is personally coming, entering and going through doors that have been closed- summoning, interacting, granting great favor.

Man too participates. (“She waited on them”.) Reserves of energy surface; she is fully there, fully seen. Love begets love; active love begets love to another, to put their needs before one’s own need. It does no longer matter if one is sick, weak; there is always work one can do. To choose means owning the decision.

One remembers Simeon, who in his old age carries the precious Jesus to the Tabernacle altar; his gift to God. His small actions show his love, wonder. Touch, one always remembers- our parents grasping our small fingers, tender and strong at the same time; the final touch given a loved one bringing closure.

Work is “thank you” and praise. Work is being fruitful in the manner He wishes for one, at this moment in time. It is Peter’s mo ther-in law calling. It is our calling, our purpose now.