Since today is the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord,
all the readings point only to one thing, the Kingship, Majesty and Dominion of
God over all the earth. In today's 1st reading, God is described as seating on
His throne and gave an impression of great power. It takes us to another aspect
or level of understanding of the majesty of our God. We ought to be glad and
rejoice that we have a God who is Almighty and Immortal that no one or nothing
can ever be over and above Him. Whenever we hear the word throne then we
immediately paint a picture in our minds about royalty, highness and being on
top of everything. This is all true when we speak of God. Although we may never
be able to fully visualize God, the Ancient One sitting on the throne, it
reminds us of the truth that He is King of kings and Lord of lords. We just can’t put the right words into our mouth
when we speak of God’s majesty. God is almighty and all powerful. He is beyond
words! Amen. Hallelujah!
Daniel 7:9-10. 13-14
9 As I watched: Thrones were set up and the Ancient One took
his throne. His clothing was snow bright, and the hair on his head as white as
wool; His throne was flames of fire, with wheels of burning fire. 10 A surging
stream of fire flowed out from where he sat; Thousands upon thousands were
ministering to him, and myriads upon myriads attended him... His dominion is an
everlasting dominion that shall not be taken away, his kingship shall not be
destroyed.
Erase all doubts and be faithful to the One God who is most
high above every other god.
We should develop an image of God that is fitting to Him as
described in today's psalm. We should always acknowledge that without God we
are nothing and God's power over us can only go as far as we allow Him to. We
all long to become a member or even be identified with groups and associations
that hold a good name and reputation. It helps us in many ways and keeps us
abreast with the latest trends in our profession for example. It could be
considered an asset and we would definitely not leave it out from our resume′
because it speaks well of us. There are even associations that require us to
fulfill certain requirements in order to qualify. We even have to go out of our
way and make some sacrifices such as go through rigid screening, pass certain
examinations and maintain certain units in order to comply with the
qualifications. All of these we are willing to do and make ourselves able just
to belong. Considering that these are all earthly memberships that could only
last a lifetime. What about eternal memberships that continue even after this
life is over? To be a part of the Kingdom where our Lord is King is the
ultimate goal we should all set our eyes on. Amen. Hallelujah!
P S A L M
Psalm 97:1-2. 5-6. 9
R: The Lord is king, the Most High over all the earth.
...Clouds and darkness are round about him, justice and
judgment are the foundation of his throne. (R) 5 The mountains melt like wax
before the LORD, before the Lord of all the earth. 6 The heavens proclaim his
justice, and all peoples see his glory...You, LORD, are the Most High over all
the earth, exalted far above all gods.
Today's 2nd reading is first hand information from Peter
himself. Peter declared God's tremendous power with much conviction. This due
to the fact, that he had been an eyewitness of God's majesty. We know that at
least once in our lives, too we've already witnessed the glory of God and it is
only right and fitting that we proclaim and make it known to everyone in order
for us to always remember the He is Lord of lords, King of kings and Savior of
the world. He witnessed Jesus' Transfiguration which made all the difference
from all other narrations which are just handed down. When we hear amazing
things and stories we get all excited about it but to experience and witness it
for ourselves is a lot more rewarding and convinces us even more to believe and
not doubt. One way or another we've had experiences like that of Peter's when
we can not deny its authenticity. Our senses have testified to it and can no
longer be unbelieving. If we are to closely review our lives we will find that
we too have been to Peter's situation when we also have witnessed the Transfiguration
of Jesus. It may not be specifically the same events but it is something that
should make us hold on to God and make us a living testimony of His Almighty
Power. It could serve as a lamp shining on us when darkness comes and morning
seems to be far from sight. Amen. Hallelujah!
2 Peter 1:16-19
16 Beloved: We did not follow cleverly devised myths when we
made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we had
been eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For he received honor and glory from God
the Father when that unique declaration came to him from the majestic glory,
“This is my Son, my beloved, with whom I am well pleased.” 18 We ourselves
heard this voice come from heaven while we were with him on the holy mountain.
19 Moreover, we possess the prophetic message that is altogether reliable. You
will do well to be attentive to it, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until
day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.
We should fully trust the voice of
Jesus who dwells in us through the Holy Spirit. If there are times when we get
confused and don't know anymore what to do, whom to listen and where to go just
feel in the very depths of our heart as we pray and He will never hesitate nor
withhold the answers we seek. He is not a God who misleads, confuses and causes
chaos. There is a time for everything. All we have to do is kneel down before
the foot of the cross and we will surely find the answers. Let our hearts talk
and do the work to fully understand His instructions to us. May we be able to
learn the art of silence and just listen and meditate on the Word of God. There
are some things that our mind can not fully explain and understand. Each one of
us during our lifetime had experienced unbelievable things wrought by God's
mighty hand that are beyond our understanding and comprehension. We shouldn't
be surprised at all if we truly believe that our life is in the hands of a God
who is Almighty, Immortal and Holy. Today’s gospel invites us to look deeply
into the transfiguration of Jesus. This corresponds to the 1st
transformation in the womb of the Blessed Mother when the glory of God
penetrated humanity. This transformation happened without any harm coming on
Christ’s Divine nature. This
communication of divinity is the immediate prelude of the resurrection. We long
and have a deep desire to live and see at the very moment of our death this
same glorious sight that the disciples saw although with holy fear and an awe
of God that we want to live in perfect union with Him. We see God’s face that
shines forth and with clothes dazzling white. We think of the very garments
worn by Jesus made by Mary. We ask Mary to intercede for us and plead to her
son that each of us will be transformed into the likeness of His son just as
Jesus Himself was woven in the flesh of her own body. The transfiguration is true of us when we
experience deification after the 2nd coming. Our features will not
be distorted but glorified just as in the person of Jesus. He did not lose the
substance of his flesh but showed forth an addition of brightness. Our bodies
will be renewed in the way Jesus is. We will be brought to a state of
perfection, surrounded by the glory of God not only at the level of our souls
but also in the level of our bodies. Jesus is one Divine Person with 2 natures,
the divine son who by merit of his Incarnation assumed our human nature. He
exists united, with human and divine nature which is what we profess in the
Apostle’s Creed every Sunday. He takes the aspect of suffering and humiliation when
He underwent death in his human nature but in his divinity resurrected in glory
for He is life Himself. His glory in transfiguration as a human person is not
abolished or absorbed by His divinity nor did His humanity hide His Divinity.
When Jesus became man He did not in any way lost any of His Divine nature. He
is always complete, fully divine and fully human and always in full and total
operation, both natures are together and miraculously joined in the person of
Jesus Christ. His divinity is not evacuated but divinity communicated. He shares to us his divinity and makes us
partakers as in Romans 8:16-17, The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit
that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and
joint heirs with Christ, if only we suffer with him so that we may also be
glorified with him. God alone can
transfigure our lives and make it beautiful. Thus the gospel for today also
holds a special meaning to me in relation to my son. He wrote an essay a couple
of years ago to fulfill one of the requirements for his College entrance exam.
Here is what he wrote.
-When I was in elementary (4th grade) and wanted to be a
part of the basketball team of our school. I tried out many times but I always
get cut because I am not physically fit, I was really fat back then. I was
really determined to join the team and I decided to lose weight and get fit. I
exercised daily and lessened my food intake and from 160lbs I became 120lbs. On
the first term of my 1st year in high school, I tried out again for the team
and I got accepted but the league that I am suppose to play in was in the 3rd
term. I became really sad that the coach didn’t recognize my determination and
talent. And then the most unexpected thing happened to me, during our PE class
which was swimming, I got a perfect score in our practical test in diving. My
teacher talked to me about my potential in becoming a strong swimmer and asked
me if I would want to join the team, at first I was hesitant in joining because
I didn’t really know how to swim but when my teacher said that he would teach
me all of the strokes, I immediately accepted his offer. At the start of my
training in swimming, I had a really hard time. My coach said that it’s normal
because I haven't been swimming for a long time already and my body is not yet
used to it. But he assured me that eventually I will soon get the hang of it.
And so I did train hard and enjoyed at the same time, I joined competitions and
it was in my 4th competition that I got my very first medal. And now that I am
in my 4th year in High School, I was appointed by our coach to be the Team
Captain. In those years I have learned that you must persevere in order to
attain your goal. I just wanted to be a part of the basketball team but because
of persevering it turned out to be more than I expected because now I am
already the Team Captain of the swimming team.
When I was a child
about 7years old, I used to idolize the cartoon character Tarzan. His family
lived in the jungle, but his parents were killed when he was still young and
the gorillas were the ones who took care of him. I was really captured by the
movie and I used to watch it everyday, over and over again. And then one
afternoon, after eating lunch, I got so hyper that I copied the moves of
Tarzan. In our garage we had a lot of cases of beer for my dad’s business. I
climbed the cases of beer about a storey high. I lost my footing and I fell
from it. It was really high that I just closed my eyes and then all I heard
were the crashes of the bottles and cases. And then felt that my body was flat
on the ground. And then I heard my mom screaming. When I opened my eyes I was
already surrounded by glass splinters. The shirt that I was wearing was
bedecked with broken glasses. It looked like it was stuck there forever and can
no longer be used so my mom just threw it away. I was all wet with beer and
really smelled of alcohol but aside from that all I got was a small scratch in
my chin. I saw my mother’s face and she was crying so hard, she kept on asking
me “Are you okay? Where does it hurt?” and I just said to her that I am okay
and she has nothing to worry about. I got up and took a shower then I slept.
When I woke up, I saw my mother crying while praying and then I said to her
that I would join in praying. From that day on I have always prayed almost
everyday. I made it a point that I would always talk to God and thank Him for
His blessings everyday. From a kid who watches Tarzan, I became the man with a
big faith in God. End of his sharing.
When I read this I was in tears. I praised and thanked God
for the personal transfiguration process of my son at a very young age and
still at work even in the present. Amen. Hallelujah!
Mark 9:2-10
2 Jesus took Peter, James, and John and led them up a high
mountain apart by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, 3 and his
clothes became dazzling white, such as no fuller on earth could bleach them. 4
Then Elijah appeared to them along with Moses, and they were conversing with
Jesus. 5 Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, “Rabbi, it is good that we are
here! Let us make three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
6 He hardly knew what to say, they were so terrified. 7 Then a cloud came,
casting a shadow over them; then from the cloud came a voice, “This is my
beloved Son. Listen to him.”…
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