Transfiguration of the Lord Feast
Also Read: Mass Readings for 06 August 2023 Mass Reading Reflection for 06 August 2023
Gospel: Matthew 17: 1-9
“Rise, and do not be afraid,” Jesus said so touching His disciples who prostrated before Him in awe and adoration. It was the moment after the transfiguration. Jesus is telling you the same words looking into your eyes and holding you by your shoulders, “Rise and do not be afraid.”
He does not care if you have an ignominious past, He is looking at you with love and tells the same, “Rise and do not be afraid.” If someone has hurt you deeply, and you feel devastated, Jesus tells you, “Rise and do not be afraid to forgive them.”
If you are unemployed, or recently lost your job, or if you are not adequately employed, Jesus tells you, “Rise, and do not be afraid to knock at the next door.”
If you think that you are a sinner beyond redemption, Jesus touches you and tells you, “Rise and do not be afraid to receive my forgiveness.” He has appointed countless priests to hear your confession and absolve you from your sins on His behalf.
If you are poor, desolate, or sick, Jesus tells you, “Rise and do not be afraid to walk with me.”
Transfiguration is more about Jesus who is humble enough to walk with us. It was a vision granted to the apostles to affirm that He is glorified being with humans. Even in His glory, He was seen with humans, Moses and Elijah, and not with angels and archangels. The men who cared to walk with Him during their earthly sojourn are the glory of Jesus.
The transfiguration was a preparation for the apostles for the crucifixion. It was an assurance for them to be with Him during His sufferings so that they may be with Him in His glory. Moses and Elijah did not have it easy, they had their sufferings, and crosses before they shared the Glory with Jesus.
The Transfiguration is an invitation to rise above the ordinary. See the extraordinary beyond the ordinary. It tells us that our sufferings, poverty, sickness, loneliness, and depression have a purpose beyond the ordinary.
Jesus is inviting us to, “Rise, and do not be afraid to look beyond today.”
Amen.
