THE WORD BECAME FLESH

Monday of the Seventh week in Ordinary Time, 2022

Jams 3:13-18

Ps 19

Mark 9:14-29

It is well that we are here…

Dear friends in Christ, today’s gospel reading comes from (Mark 9:2-13) The story of the transfiguration is recorded in the synoptic gospels. This experience happened near the midpoint in the ministry of Jesus. This will be followed by a movement from the Galilean phase of the ministry to that of Judea. The two figures who appeared to Jesus in the experience, Moses, and Elijah, were highly revered personages in Israel. On one side there’s Moses, the Law Giver; on the other side, Elijah, the great prophet. The duo forms a great link with the traditions of the Jewish faith. On Mount Sinai, Yahweh had spoken to Moses' face to face. Coming down from Mt. Sinai, the face of Moses was radiant with a light so bright he had to cover his face with a veil. (Exodus 33:11; 34:29) Now, Christ himself radiated the great light of God. Elijah had been the first great prophet of Israel. When the priests of the pagan god Baal challenged the power of Yahweh, Elijah had called down the mighty power of God. It had been quite a contest. The priests of Baal pleaded with their pagan god to take their sacrifice but nothing happened. Then Elijah called upon Yahweh, and God consumed the sacrificial offering by fire. Now, on this mountain, Christ appears with an authority greater even than the prophet Elijah.

The transfiguration experience was more than just the change in clothes and the glow seen on Jesus, it was a life-changing experience for the disciples who now see beyond the humanity of Jesus and will from now on see him as the Son of God and the savior of the world. Jesus then becomes the ultimate teacher of wisdom. These disciples will be so convinced that nothing else can change their perception of what has been revealed to them. They are themselves transformed into the model of what every follower of Jesus should be.

On the mountain with Jesus were Peter, James, and John, members of the inner circle of the Apostles. Peter’s words to Jesus, showed that they were completely rattled by the experience and the awesomeness of what they saw.  Peter then asked, “Lord, it is well that we are here; if you wish, I will make three booths here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” Can anyone blame Peter for making such a request? He loved the experience and wanted it to continue, yet there is more to life than a single experience of that glory. They have seen it and they must tell the story so that all may come to experience it too. The easiest and best place to find a Tabor experience today is to be a part of the worshipping community at Mass. Fruitful participation at the Holy Mass makes present— God in all His glory. Come and experience God anew!

Let us pray: O Lord, you led your disciples to the glory of the transfiguration, a foretaste of eternal life, give us the grace to feel your presence with us always. Amen. 

+Remain blessed