Bible
Study: Genesis 15, 2 to 12 and 17 to 19. Philippians 3,
17 to 4, 1. Luke 9, 28 to 36).
As we
proceed with our Lenten observances of prayer, fasting, almsgiving, Stations of
the Cross, abstinence and other forms of self-mortification, it is easy for us
to become carried away by the sorrowful side of the cross that we forget what
lies beneath it. Today, God is essentially saying to us: “Don’t be discouraged,
it may be painful for now, but very soon, you will see the glory.”
In the transfiguration
of Jesus, we hear Peter exclaim: “It is wonderful to be here.” That is
essentially what we shall say when we too behold the glory.
Why was
Jesus transfigured? Being that at this time, Jesus was in a human body, as a
man, it was possible to give up. Jesus himself needed something to hold on to
in the face of the blows, the kicks, the slaps, the whips, the spittle and
mockery. The transfiguration experience gave him certainty that he was on the
right track. In fact, Moses and Elijah came to Jesus to say: “THE TIME HAS COME!
THIS IS WHAT THE WORLD HAS BEEN WAITING FOR, DON’T LOOK BACK, YOU WILL SURELY
SUFFER, YES OH, YOU WILL DIE, BUT DON’T WORRY, WE GOT YOUR BACK!”
It is
important to note that the transfiguration occurred in the course of prayer. It
is possible that this was not the first time, Moses and Elijah were appearing
to him. The only difference is that this was the moment when he allowed Peter,
James and John to see these things. If only God can open our eyes to see what
really happens during prayer, we never afford to joke with prayer or skip it
any longer.
The fact
that it seems as if all we get is the painful side of the cross should not make
us give up in the race before us. The fact that we are yet to see Moses and
Elijah does not mean we should put off our Lenten practices or abandon the
narrow way. Let us never ever compare ourselves with any one or begin envy those
who as St. Paul says in the second reading: “walk as enemies of the cross of
Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is the belly, their glory in their shame,
their minds set on earthly things.”
By the
time God told Abraham that his descendants would be as many as the stars of
heaven, Isaac had not yet been born. The fact that things are not working out
for you right now should not make you look back. The fact that people are
laughing at you should not make you drop the cross. Right now, it may be hard,
it may seem as if God is not going to answer your prayer or dry your tears.
Just Hold On. After the Reggae comes the Blues. After the Cross, comes the
Glory. Hold on my dear, don’t throw your cross away!
Let us
Pray:
Lord
Jesus, may I never be discouraged. May I never become an enemy of your cross
but learn to love and embrace it every day. Open my eyes to see that glory
truly awaits me in heaven if only I hold on to my cross. Amen.
God bless you. Good morning. Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is
well with you. Happy Sunday.
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