Transfiguration
Call to Listen
20/03/11 18:51 Filed in: sunday reflections
On the one hand, the readings for today seem fairly straightforward. In the first reading from Genesis, God makes a covenant with Abram. In this covenant, he says he will make Abram the father of a nation and make Abram’s name a great name. Further, all communities will find blessings in Abram. Then, in the second reading, Paul warns us that God has called us according to His plan, not according to ours. Therefore, we must bear our burdens for the Gospel with the strength that God gives us. God has called us to a holy life through grace. Finally, we read the story of the Transfiguration in the Gospel. Jesus takes three disciples on a hilltop to pray. While praying, they see Jesus transformed, as like the sun, and he is speaking with Moses and Elijah. Then, God speaks: “This is my beloved son; listen to him.”
If we are called to holiness, we hear a call God gave to Abram centuries ago. Yet, clearly we see that human beings answer that call according to their own will, not according to God. This simple reading should give pause to anyone who dare thinks they understand God’s word and to anyone who would condemn others for not living the way they want. For we should be humble, the way that Peter and the apostles were humble before Christ’s transfiguration. Thus, God tells us, Jesus, His Son, is the one to whom we should listen, not ourselves. Humility means listening to God.
On the other hand, a deeper meaning remains for us in these readings. Peter offers to make three tents for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah. Then God speaks, and the disciples fall prostrate. What happens next?
Jesus touches Peter on the shoulder. “Rise, and do not be afraid.” Jesus does not command them to go out and do anything. Rather, He affirms them: Rise, and do not be afraid. Jesus responds to the fear that Peter and the others show.
I’m afraid. Afraid that the beliefs I have are not right; afraid that my ego gets in the way of my faith; afraid that I do my will rather than God’s. Yet, what this gospel is telling us is to have faith. God calls us. He has called us since the time of Abram. He calls us to His will, not ours. We must rise to meet that call, but we must do so humbly, not with pride or fear.
We should be cautious here. We should remember that fear drove Anakin Skywalker to become Darth Vader. Fear can drive us to many things; has driven our Church to do many things: fear of scandal; fear of loss of parishioners; fear that some one’s soul would be damned. Fear can lead us away from God.
What, then, can we do? It’s very simple. Listen. ““This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.”” God does not tell us to do anything but listen to Jesus. Perhaps that is the answer here. If we are afraid of answering God’s call according to our own will, then we only need listen. If we are afraid, we only need listen. Thus, Jesus cautions his disciples as they come down the mountain. “Do not tell this vision to anyone until the Son of Man has risen from the dead.” And perhaps, when we tell it, we should remember that we only tell it, and then we calm peoples fears, and we listen.
If we are called to holiness, we hear a call God gave to Abram centuries ago. Yet, clearly we see that human beings answer that call according to their own will, not according to God. This simple reading should give pause to anyone who dare thinks they understand God’s word and to anyone who would condemn others for not living the way they want. For we should be humble, the way that Peter and the apostles were humble before Christ’s transfiguration. Thus, God tells us, Jesus, His Son, is the one to whom we should listen, not ourselves. Humility means listening to God.
On the other hand, a deeper meaning remains for us in these readings. Peter offers to make three tents for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah. Then God speaks, and the disciples fall prostrate. What happens next?
Jesus touches Peter on the shoulder. “Rise, and do not be afraid.” Jesus does not command them to go out and do anything. Rather, He affirms them: Rise, and do not be afraid. Jesus responds to the fear that Peter and the others show.
I’m afraid. Afraid that the beliefs I have are not right; afraid that my ego gets in the way of my faith; afraid that I do my will rather than God’s. Yet, what this gospel is telling us is to have faith. God calls us. He has called us since the time of Abram. He calls us to His will, not ours. We must rise to meet that call, but we must do so humbly, not with pride or fear.
We should be cautious here. We should remember that fear drove Anakin Skywalker to become Darth Vader. Fear can drive us to many things; has driven our Church to do many things: fear of scandal; fear of loss of parishioners; fear that some one’s soul would be damned. Fear can lead us away from God.
What, then, can we do? It’s very simple. Listen. ““This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.”” God does not tell us to do anything but listen to Jesus. Perhaps that is the answer here. If we are afraid of answering God’s call according to our own will, then we only need listen. If we are afraid, we only need listen. Thus, Jesus cautions his disciples as they come down the mountain. “Do not tell this vision to anyone until the Son of Man has risen from the dead.” And perhaps, when we tell it, we should remember that we only tell it, and then we calm peoples fears, and we listen.
Comments