TOPIC: THE TRANSFIGURATION
1) STORY
While living in Rome, I took a
visitor to see the beautiful St. Peter’s Basilica, a church I had often
visited. As we walked through the
church, I pointed out the huge marble statues of the saints which were situated
about 100 feet above the floor. I
lamented not being able to read the names at the base of the statues. The visitor told me that one was the statue of
St. Francis, another was St. Dominic, etc. I was amazed and asked how it was possible to see the names
which were so far away. He answered that
the glasses he was wearing permitted him to see objects which were near and
those which were far. He could see
things I was not able to see because of his eye glasses.
2) GOSPEL, MATTHEW 17:1-9
A) JESUS HELPS THE APOSTLES
Jesus led the three disciples up a
high mountain and he was transfigured before them. “His face shone like the sun and his clothes
became white as light.” He wanted to
teach them that he was not only a man but was also God.
B) THE APOSTLES
The apostles were able to see that
Jesus was no ordinary man. He was also
God. They were able to hear the Father’s
words. “This is my beloved son, with
whom I am well pleased. Listen to him.”
3) APPLICATION TO LIFE
A) JESUS HELPS US TO KNOW HIM BETTER
We can consider Lent as a time when
Jesus takes up to a mountain. Though we cannot see Jesus as the apostles did,
he is in our midst as he is present in his Church, in the bible, the Church’s
teachings, and in the lives of holy people.
B) WE SEE AND HEAR JESUS.
We see Jesus when we see a priest
celebrating Mass, when we read the bible, or attend the Stations of the Cross. We see him when we help a poor, sick, or an
unhappy person. Jesus has said that when
you help others, you are helping him. We
hear Jesus when we listen to the Mass homily, the words of the bishop, or the
cry for help of someone in need.
4) CONCLUSION
The eye glasses helped the visitor to
see the names of the saints in St. Peter’s Basilica. Jesus helped the apostles to see that he was
not only man but also God and that he was the Father’s beloved Son. They should listen to him. During Lent Jesus also helps us to see that he
is both God and man. We should listen to
him.
