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.
