3/5/2023 (Sunday) Today’s gospel reading: Matthew 17:1-9
1 Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves.
2 And he was transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light.
3 And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, conversing with him.
4 Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
5 While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud cast a shadow over them, then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.”
6 When the disciples heard this, they fell prostrate and were very much afraid.
7 But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and do not be afraid.”
8 And when the disciples raised their eyes, they saw no one else but Jesus alone.
9 As they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, “Do not tell the vision to anyone until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”
3/5/2023 (Sunday) Today’s gospel reflection: Matthew 17:1-9
The first verse of the gospel reading above states that Jesus led Peter, James, and John to a high mountain. If we accept that Jesus is our Lord, Savior and King, we allow Him to lead us to where we should go. We are no longer in control of our life but we surrender to the prompting of the Holy Spirit. In our day to day decision-making, we pray that Jesus will manifest His will to us and that we may have the humility and willingness to follow Him. Like what He did to the apostles, Jesus will surely lead us to a place where we can truly know Him, where we can see the glory of God, and where our life can be transformed.
When the apostles were enveloped by the cloud and witnessed the transfiguration of Jesus, they were frightened. Seeing Jesus in His full glory can indeed be terrifying. This is because when we encounter the divine, there is the feeling that one is so small and unworthy before someone who is so great and mighty. Like Simon Peter when He recognized the divinity of Jesus (Luke 5:8), we would rather tell Him to “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!”.
Yet, even as we are also overwhelmed by our unworthiness of the greatness and goodness of God, Jesus comes to us to say, “Rise, and do not be afraid.” For it is His mission to reunite us with our Father. When we lost our way and we lived in shame and sorrow because we rebelled against God, He sent His only Son to call us back, “come back to me with all your heart” (Joel 2:12).
We all want change. We all want to be transformed and yet we find it is difficult to do so. May the transfiguration event inspire us to return to Jesus for He alone can lead us and transform us so we can see His full glory.
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The Gospel reading above tells us about the Transfiguration of Jesus, a pivotal moment where Jesus is revealed in divine glory to three of His disciples: Peter, James, and John. This passage offers a profound message about the nature of Jesus and the importance of faith.
In this awe-inspiring scene, Jesus is transfigured before the disciples, His face shining like the sun, and His clothes becoming as white as light. Moses and Elijah appear alongside Him, symbolizing the Law and the Prophets, respectively. This moment serves as a divine affirmation of Jesus’ identity as the Son of God and His fulfillment of the Scriptures.
The message of the Transfiguration is a powerful reminder of the glory and majesty of Jesus Christ. It calls us to recognize Him not just as a teacher or prophet but as the divine Son of God. The radiance of Jesus in this moment reflects His true nature, a glimpse of the heavenly glory that surpasses all earthly understanding. It invites us to deepen our faith and trust in Him, knowing that He is the light of the world, guiding us through life’s challenges.
The voice from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” (Matthew 17:5), emphasizes the importance of listening to Jesus. In a world filled with noise and distractions, this call to heed His words is more relevant than ever. It reminds us that in Jesus, we find the ultimate source of truth, wisdom, and guidance. By listening to Him, we align ourselves with God’s will and purpose for our lives.
Moreover, the Transfiguration teaches us about the transformative power of divine encounters. Just as the disciples were changed by witnessing this revelation, we too can be transformed by our experiences with God’s presence. These moments of spiritual insight can inspire us to live more faithfully, pursue holiness, and share the love of Christ with others.
Finally, the disciples’ reaction to this event, falling to the ground in fear, reminds us of the humility and reverence with which we should approach God. Yet, Jesus’ comforting words, “Get up. Don’t be afraid” (Matthew 17:7), assure us of His love and compassion. Even in the presence of divine majesty, Jesus reaches out to us with grace and mercy.
This passage is a call to recognize Jesus’ divine nature, listen to His teachings, and be transformed by our encounters with God. It challenges us to live with faith, humility, and a deep sense of reverence for the One who is the light of the world.
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