Bible
Study: Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14. / 2nd Peter 1:16-19. / Mark 9:2-10.
I guess it
shouldn’t come as a surprise to you that even in our very age and time, there
are still a lot of people who hold the belief that: “heaven does not exist”. In
fact, what should really surprise us is that among those who strongly opine
that heaven is not real are fellow Christians, some of whom are theologians
with rich portfolios of academic degrees.
Today’s
feast is one that re-affirms the unchangeable truth in the fact that Heaven is
real. When Jesus took three of his closest disciples up to the Mountain and was
transfigured before them, he did so to strengthen their faith, he did so to
show them that beyond the tears, beyond the blood to be shared, beyond the
beatings, persecutions and agonies of the cross, there was something beautiful,
something resplendent, something so precious that was awaiting them at the end
of the day. The transfiguration experience is a tiny glimpse of GLORY – glory that
was to become permanent after their earthly sojourn.
Having witnessed
the Transfiguration, Peter could then write boldly as we read in today’s second
reading: “We did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you
the power and coming of our Lord Jesus but we had been eyewitnesses of his
majesty…we ourselves heard this voice come from heaven while we were with him
on the holy mountain.” (2 Pet. 1:16-19). I often hear people say, “after all,
no one has gone to heaven and come back to tell us how it is.” But that is
exactly what Peter is saying here. He saw with his own eyes and heard with his
own ears! It is not just a figment of imagination.
The
thought of heaven is one that should never leave our minds. We should from time
to time go to a quiet place to meditate on it and place ourselves in the
presence of God. This exercise would help us in taking our attention from this
passing world of pain where nothing lasts, nothing brings true happiness and nothing
is real. As Peter says, “You will do well to be attentive to it, as a lamp
shinning in a dark place…” Meditating about how you will be in heaven with the
Angels in glory is like lighting a lamp in a dark place.
Let us not
wander about in the darkness thinking this world as we see it is all there is
to existence, let us not get discouraged when our faith demands that we make
sacrifices or suffer some losses because we know we are only on a journey and
where we are going is far more important than where we are coming from. Hold
on, Heaven is real!
Let us
pray:
Lord
Jesus, you needed to re-assure the faith of your disciples when you led them up
that mountain to show them your glory, may I never be discouraged in the face
of trials but continue to hold on strong in faith. Show me your glory like
Daniel in our first reading, help me understand, increase my devotion. Amen.
Good morning.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you.
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