Sunday Gospel Reflection
"This is my beloved Son; listen to him"

Introduction:

The Transfiguration
What was your last experience of awe? What stopped you and caught your attention? Why did this event have such power over you?

Life is full of surprises. Around every corner, in every part of life, experiences of wonder await us. We only need to open ourselves for the possibility of the different, the unexpected. But the rote and routine of life dull our sense of awe. We become too familiar, take people for granted, make too many assumptions.

The disciples lived with Jesus throughout his ministry in Galilee. Even the closest of Jesus' friends walked with him as he made his way to Jerusalem blinded by their daily routines. They thought they knew Jesus. They thought they knew what to expect. Were they in for a shock!

First Reading

Genesis 22:1-2, 9-13, 15-18

1 After these things God tested Abraham, and said to him, "Abraham!"  And he said, "Here am I."
2 He said, "Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering upon one of the mountains of which I shall tell you."
...
9 When they came to the place of which God had told him, Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar, upon the wood.
10 Then Abraham put forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son.
11 But the angel of the LORD called to him from heaven, and said, "Abraham, Abraham!" And he said, "Here am I."
12 He said, "Do not lay your hand on the lad or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me."
13 And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns; and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son.
...
15 And the angel of the LORD called to Abraham a second time from heaven,
16 and said, "By myself I have sworn, says the LORD, because you have done this, and have not withheld your son, your only son,
17 I will indeed bless you, and I will multiply your descendants

Second Reading
Romans 8:31-34

31 What then shall we say to this? If God is for us, who is against us?
32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, will he not also give us all things with him?
33 Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies;
34 who is to condemn? Is it Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us

Gospel Reading
Mark 9:2-10

2 Six days later, JESUS took Peter, James, and John and lead them up a high mountain alone by themselves. HE was changed in front of them.
3 HIS clothes became shiny, very white, as any wool bleach on earth was not able to thus whiten.
4 There appeared to them Elijah with Moses and together they were talking to Jesus.
5 Having answered, Peter said to JESUS, "Rabbi! It is good that we are here. Let us make three tents: one for YOU, one for Moses, and one for Elijah."
6 For he had not known what he answered, for they were very afraid.
7 There appeared a cloud, overshadowing them; and a voice came from heaven, "This is my beloved Son. Listen to HIM."
8 Suddenly, having looked around, they no longer saw anyone but Jesus alone with them.
9 As they descended the mountain, he commanded them so they might not relate what they saw to anyone, until after the Son of Man should rise from the dead.
10 They keep the command, discussing among themselves: "What is (this) 'rising from the dead?'"

Meditation

Did Jesus show himself to Peter, James, and John so radiantly transfigured as an encouragement to carry them through the dark times to come? A prayer in the liturgy for the Feast of the Transfiguration affirms that purpose: "Jesus revealed his glory to the disciples to strengthen them for the scandal of the cross." Surely the bewildered disciples must have held onto the memory of this mysterious event-a preview of Jesus' resurrected glory when they didn't know what to make of their Master's crucifixion.

Yet imagine how much more clearly the disciples must have grasped the meaning of Jesus' transfiguration after he was raised from the dead and the Spirit came to them at Pentecost! In later years, Peter still vividly recalled this profound experience, describing himself as an eyewitness to Jesus' "majesty" (2 Peter 1:16-18). Evidently, he drew strength from the event, as he remembered and pondered it the rest of his life.

Jesus wants to give each of us a vision for our own lives. But his ways of communicating with us are sometimes mysterious. We may be uncertain how to respond to a Scripture passage that has come alive for us. We may not know what to make of impressions and insights we receive from the Lord. But the fact that we can't unravel these mysteries right away doesn't mean we should disregard them. Treasure them in your heart, as the disciples did (Mark 9:10). Write them down in a prayer journal. Remind yourself of them often, and watch to see how they gradually bear fruit.

At the age of nine, St. John Bosco had a dream in which he saw wild beasts turn into gentle lambs and unruly children become well behaved. The dream convinced him he was called to care for neglected boys as a priest and teacher. But it took many years-and occasional upsets-before the dream became a reality. There were many times when he was tempted to give up. But he held firm, trusting in God's faithfulness. Like John Bosco, let's hold fast to every way we have sensed God moving in us. God has a vision for each one of us, and that vision will unfold as we trust in him.

Reflections:

· Please re-read the phrase(s)/sentence(s) that move(s)/touche(s) you and what inner message of the heart is the Spirit whispering to you ?

. For us, the Transfiguration reminds us of our Baptism when the Trinity revealed themselves to us. And, it is a look ahead to our death and resurrection. Yes, we, too, will be like Christ in glory. But the road to that glory leads down the mountain into the mundane affairs and sufferings of life.
  -----As you look forward to Easter, what expectations do you have? Have your Lenten exercises helped you to anticipate the resurrection? How?

. The message of this gospel is clear. To see, we need to look. To hear, we need to listen. To experience, we need to open our minds and hearts to the possibility of God's voice. Look at the Son. Listen to his words. Open your mind and heart to his presence. We don't need to be on the top of a mountain to experience God's fullness. Just shake off rote and routine. And he will be there.
  ----Take a few moments to reread the gospel. Imagine you're before the Lord as he speaks to you in his glory. What is his word to you? How will that word help you this week on your Lenten journey?

. What is the most memorable experience you've had of hearing the message,"Listen to him"?

Prayer

Lord, draw me near to you and let me see your glory.  May I never doubt your love and saving help."