Dear Friend,
Though we like
novelty and want to see changes around us, yet basically we are
traditional and prefer to go on the way we always did. Yet, life is full
of changes. Sometimes we wish we would change but often we do not
believe that we can change. We give a lot of reasons why we cannot
change and so we never change. Lent is about transformations made
possible by faith. May His Word challenge and transform us. With His Spirit have a transfiguring Lent weekend! –Fr. Jude
Sunday Reflections: Second Sunday of Lent Called to be
transformed …. 16-Mar-2014
In
the first reading from the Book of Genesis we have the inspiring story
of the call of Abraham. At the age of seventy-five, when most aged
people have retired or are written off, Abraham sets out on a journey
of faith, moving from the familiar, secure and well-ordered routine in
his native place to an unknown destination, literally to ‘God knows
where’! All he can rely on is the promise of God. In obedience to God’s
call he sets off. Abraham is blessed and in turn becomes a blessing to
his people. It is never too late to change, to respond to God’s call.
Transformed by
love
“Picture an old lamp covered with layers of dust
and dirt. How wretched and useless it looks. Then someone comes along,
cleans off the layers of dirt, and polishes it until it begins to
sparkle, and then lights it. Suddenly the lamp is transformed. It
positively glows, radiating light and beauty to every corner of the
room. Whereas prior to this it was disfigured with dust and dirt, now it
is transfigured with beauty by the light. Yet, it is the same lamp.
When an object (or a person) is loved and cared for, it is redeemed, and
rendered brighter and worthier.”
Flor McCarthy in “New Sundays and Holy Day Liturgies”
Today’s
gospel reminds us, first of all, that transformations take place in the
context of prayer. Jesus led his disciples up a high mountain, where
they could be alone. The mountain, in the Israelite tradition,
symbolized the meeting place with God. Moses had witnessed Yahweh on
the mountain and each time he encountered Him his face glowed with the
presence of God. Jesus was transfigured in their presence and ‘his face
shone like the sun and his clothes became as white as light.’ Secondly,
Jesus appears transfigured in the context of his relationship with his
Father, symbolized by the presence of the cloud and the heavenly voice.
The cloud symbolized Yahweh, who in the form of a cloud accompanied the
Israelites as they journeyed through the desert to the Promise Land.
Thirdly, this transfiguration is not only a blessing and an affirmation
for Jesus, proclaimed by the voice from heaven, “This is my Son, the
beloved; He enjoys my favour. Listen to him”, but it is also a blessing
for the three disciples, who are witnesses of the transfiguration. They
have a privileged viewpoint on salvation history as they witness Jesus
in conversation with the
father-figures of the Law and the prophets, Moses and Elijah. This
vision will reassure them when they hear other voices later opposing
Jesus, rejecting his mission, and seeking to destroy him. The
transfiguration would be only for a moment. But Peter wanted to capture
it and prolong it and make it permanent by building tents or tabernacles
to contain this experience. We too want the good experiences, the peak
moments of life to last forever. We are afraid to let go and move on, we
want to be in the past rather than move on to where the Lord wants us
to go. But the reality is that we have to come down from the mountain.”
Our transfiguration can happen in the strangest of ways when we let
Jesus into our lives.
Transfiguration
Van
Gogh was not noted for his physical beauty. In fact his face was
described by some as being repulsive. Yet as soon as he began to speak
about art, his melancholy expression would disappear, his eyes would
sparkle, and his features would make a deep impression on those around
him. It wasn’t his face any longer; it had become beautiful. It seemed
he was breathing in beauty. At times all of us can feel down and
depressed, a prey to feelings of failure and worthlessness. But then
suddenly something nice happens to us – a friend calls, or we get a
letter with some good news in it – and suddenly everything is changed.
The truth of course is that nothing has changed. It is just that a spark
of joy or hope or love has been kindled in our hearts, and we suddenly
see ourselves in a new and better light.
Flor McCarthy in ‘New Sunday & Holy Day Liturgies’
Transfiguration –A change of attitudes?
Rabbi
Abraham Twersky tells a story
about his great-grandfather who was sitting with other rabbinical
scholars studying the Talmud when it was decided to take a break for
refreshments. One of the groups offered to pay for refreshments, but
there was no one who volunteered to go for them. According to Twersky,
in his book Generation to Generation, his great-grandfather said, “Just
hand me the money, I have a young boy who will be glad to go.” After a
rather extended period, he finally returned with the refreshments, and
it became obvious to all that the rabbi himself had gone and performed
the errand. Noticing their discomfort, the rabbi explained: “I didn’t
mislead you at all. You see, many people outgrow their youth and become
old men. I have never let the spirit of my youth depart. And as I grew
older, I always took along with me that young boy I had been. It was
that young boy in me that did the errand.” –Our transformation, our
transfiguration begins in our change of
attitude.
Gerard Fuller in ‘Stories for all Seasons’
Finding God on the mountain?
The
17th century English poet, John Donne, tells of a man searching for
God. He is convinced that God lives on the top of a mountain at the end
of the earth. After a journey of many days, the man arrives at the foot
of the mountain and begins to climb it. At the same time God says to the
angels: “What can I do to show my people how much I love them?” He
decides to descend the mountain and live among the people as one of
them. As the man is going up one side of the mountain, God is descending
the other side. They don’t see each other because they are on opposite
sides of the mountain. On reaching the summit, the man discovers an
empty mountaintop. Heartbroken, the man concludes that God does not
exist. Despite speculation
to the contrary, God does not live on mountaintops, deserts, or at the
end of the earth, or even in some heaven, - God dwells among human
beings and in the person of Jesus. – Staying on the safety of the
mountain is what Peter would prefer. During the transfiguration Peter
and his companions got a glimpse of the future glory of Jesus’
resurrection. They want nothing more. However after they come down the
mountain they are told by Jesus that the glory they witnessed would be
real only after he had gone through suffering and death. We too will
share in his glory, only by sharing in his suffering and death.
Simon K. in ‘The Sunday Liturgy’
Healing Solitude
One
Sunday morning in summer when I was twelve, I was waiting for my friend
Juanita to come over. We had planned a morning together and she was
quite
late. I was fretting and complaining and generally making a nuisance of
myself. In fact I was becoming rather obnoxious to everyone else in the
house. Finally, my father said to me, “Get a book, a blanket and an
apple, and get into the car.” I wanted to know why, but he only repeated
the order. So I obeyed. My father drove me about eight miles from home
to a canyon area, and said, “Now get out. We cannot stand you any longer
at home. You aren’t fit to live with us. Just stay out here by yourself
today until you understand better how to act. I’ll come back for you
this evening.” I got out, frustrated, and defiant and angry. The nerve
of him! I thought immediately of walking back home; eight miles was no
distance at all for me. Then the thought of meeting my father when I got
there took hold, and I changed my mind. I cried and threw the book,
apple and blanket over the canyon ledge. I had been dumped and I was
furious. But it is hard to keep
up a good rebellion cry with no audience and so finally there was
nothing to do but face up to the day alone. I sat on the rim kicking up
dirt and trying to get control of myself. After a couple of hours as noon
approached, I began to get hungry. I located the apple and climbed down
to retrieve it- as well as the book and blanket. I climbed back up and
as I came over the top I noticed a tree. It was lovely and full. As I
spread the blanket and began to eat the apple, I noticed a change of
attitude. As I looked through the branches into the sky, a great sense
of peace and beauty came upon me. I began to see my behaviour in a new
light. I found myself thinking of God. It began to be prayer time; I
wanted to be a better person. I just lay there in silence. By the time
my father returned I was restored. I was different and he knew it.
William Bausch
May the reassurance of His transfiguration and our own encourage us to move on!
Fr. Jude Botelho
PS.
The stories, incidents
and anecdotes used in the reflections have been collected over the
years from books as well as from sources over the net and from e-mails
received. Every effort is made to acknowledge authors whenever possible.
If you send in stories or illustrations I would be grateful if you
could quote the source as well so that they can be acknowledged if used
in these reflections.
These reflections are also available on my Web site www.NetForLife.net Thank you.
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