Feast of the
Transfiguration of the Lord
(Daniel 7:9-10.13-14; II Peter 1:16-19; Mark 9:2-10)
Christianity is till prevalent in America and Europe. Experts say that the situation is changing, however. In short time most people may not know more
about Jesus than about the Hindu god Vishnu.
But for the time being at least people have some idea of what it means
to rise from the dead.
But what may be said of the time before Jesus’
resurrection? Would the people living in
the year 10 or 20 have any idea of what to
rise from the dead means? Would even
Jesus’ apostles have said that the concept is mere wishful thinking? Very possibly they would. The resurrection
from the dead would have boggled their minds like the idea of people carrying
about devices that access files at home would have seemed incredible just a
generation ago.
Today’s gospel relates how God gives Jesus’ disciples clues
about what to expect when Jesus is raised from the dead. It tells of how Jesus’ body will be changed
into a realm of light so bright that his clothes glow. It reports that his new form of being will
allow him to communicate with saints long dead.
It even confirms the vision by mentioning the voice from the cloud
naming Jesus “my beloved son.” The
purpose of the narrative then is to obviate some of the inevitable doubt that arises
when a dead person is reported as alive.
Since they will have to proclaim the resurrection, the disciples need to
be convinced that it happened. Here
their leaders, at least, are being prepared for that event.
Friday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time
(Deuteronomy 4:
32-40; Matthew 16:24-28)
Aboard the ship
Arbella just before landing in Boston harbor, Governor John Winthrop told the Puritan
colonists of the Massachusetts Bay Colony that they must be like a ¨city on a
hill¨ for the world to see and imitate. In
time these words will give rise to the idea of “American exceptionalism,” by
which the nation is considered enlightened and trustworthy beyond other
peoples. Of course, Governor Winthrop
was making a reference to Jesus´ Sermon on the Mount, but his words also echo
Moses´ in the reading from Deuteronomy today.
Moses reminds the Israelites
of God´s special interest in them. God
has led them from captivity in Egypt to freedom. He has carefully weeded them of vices and formed
them into His holy people. Now, Moses
says, the people must respond to the Lord´s particular kindness by keeping His
laws and statutes. In this way they will
testify to the world of God´s own righteousness.
We Catholics should
consider ourselves every bit as chosen as the Puritans and the Israelites. God has called us by name in Baptism and has fed
us with the body and blood of His Son in the Eucharist. Our lives should reflect the intimacy in which
God has held us. It should also summon
others to experience the same.
