Transfiguration

Dear Parishioners,
Praised be Jesus Christ!

When Jesus is praying, St. Luke tells us that Moses and Elijah “appeared in glory” and that Jesus’ face changed in appearance his clothing was changed, and Peter, James and John “saw his glory.” Why is this important for us?

The glory in which Moses and Elijah are bathed is clearly coming from God—from beyond their human power to achieve. Yet already here in this world, right in front of the eyes of these chosen three, Jesus demonstrated that glory in such a way that it was visible and tangible to the disciples. It is not something reserved for him for after the resurrection. No, that glory was evident precisely in his human nature.

The same is true for us. Certainly, the glory Who is God will become completely unveiled in the resurrection of our bodies at the end of time, but the same glory is present now, here in our own bodies. If that glory is not evident in us who have been baptized, who have received the Holy Spirit, then there is only one reason: because we have covered it over and obscured it.

The Cross of Christ is the means by which the glory of God is revealed in human history.

St. Paul reminds us of this, and commands his readers—including us—not to be chasing after transitory, earthly things. Instead, he invites us to a life of freedom: to live in the midst of this world and all it contains with our hearts set on the Eternal, Who comes to bring us to freedom.

This week, please join me in praying for complete freedom to accept God’s will, as individuals and as a Church. Especially, I invite you to pray with me for Pope Benedict XVI, and for his successor, that God may transfigure all of us as a Church and each of us individually to the image of Jesus.

In Christ,
Fr. B.