Friday, March 14, 2014

Come Up the Mountain--and Listen. A Reflection for Transfiguration Sunday.

  Back in 1993 I was making a Scriptural study tour during which we had the privilege of visiting the Church of the Transfiguration on top of Mt. Tabor where it is believed  that wonderful event took place.  Our group ascended in a caravan of Mercedes Benz taxis.  I'm sure that Jesus, Peter, James and John had other means of transportation.

  On this upcoming second Sunday of Lent the Church recalls this wondrous event telling the story of how Jesus appeared to them in all His glory, revealed to them as the Son of God, accompanied by Moses and Elijah. (Mt. 17:1-9)

   I'm sure that the ordinary person in the pew might listen to this account and think that this indeed must have been a wonderful moment, but what does it have to do with us. How does it apply to our lives?   Let's try to answer that question

   The experience was such a wonderful event that Peter wants to stay there and build three tents, one for Jesus, one for Moses, one for Elijah.  The response to that request is interesting.  The Father speaks from a cloud and says, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to Him."  Since Jesus has not spoken to them since they arrived at the top of the mountain we might ask, "What are we to listen to?"  Of course we are to listen to the entire message of Jesus but in particular we need to be aware that just prior to coming up the mountain Jesus has told the disciples two things that they didn't want to hear--first that He Himself had to go to Jerusalem and suffer (see Mt. 16,21), and second that whoever wishes to follow Him must take up the cross everyday, and follow him. (see Mt. 16, 24ff.)  These word were hard to hear for the twelve and they are hard to hear for us.  We prefer a God who does not suffer and who removes us from our suffering.  Jesus, in being transfigured before them is comforting and strengthening them for what is to come.  The transfiguration is such a wonderful moment that they want to stay on top of the mountain.  They don't want to descend and follow Jesus to the cross.

   We are like those disciples.  We want often seek religious experience that makes us feel good, moments, if you will, of transfiguration.  It may be a beautifully celebrated Mass, a retreat, a private moment of prayer.  All of these are beautiful.  They are indeed moments of transfiguration if we encounter the Lord in them.  They are not, however, meant to be moments of escape, but rather moments of comfort. strength and challenge that launch us back into our everyday lives, ready to take up our crosses, not for the sake of suffering as an end in itself, but believing that through the Cross we will also find resurrection.  That is why Jesus instructs them not to tell anyone about this until the Son of Man rises from the dead.



Saturday, March 1, 2014

Lent is Coming. Time to Do Penance.



   Ash Wednesday is upon us and we begin another Lenten journey. I have fond memories of Lent in St. William's parish in the Dorchester section of Boston.  We had Stations of the Cross each Friday and were encouraged to go to daily Mass.  In those days the rules of fast and abstinence were much more rigorous, though I must admit that having more fish was never much of a sacrifice for me.

   In more recent times it has been common for folks to choose their Lenten discipline.  This, I believe, is a good thing, but it raises some questions for me.   On the one hand some people want to do things that will make them better people.  On the other hand there are those who want to atone for their sins.  Both of these are laudable motives but I think that there has to be some deeper reason for doing penance during Lent.  As I mentioned in a blog post last month to repent does not just mean to feel sorry for your sins.  It means to rearrange your life, to make the Gospel, the following of Jesus, the basis of your life.  I would like, with this blogentry, to suggest a Lenten path that we might follow.

  Before deciding to sacrifice things or to carry out certain positive actions go into prayer and ask to be able to see what in your life is getting in the way of following the Lord more closely.  It may be something wrong, sinful, but it may be something perfectly good which nonetheless gets in the way. After doing that tell the Lord in prayer that during these forty days you want to get closer to Him, then decide what to do.

  In addition to giving up things for Lent. think of positive actions that you will take.  Think of this on three levels--prayer and personal spiritual growth, charity towards others, and making the world a better place through action for justice and peace.

  The first part needs little explanation.  It may mean daily Mass, more spiritual reading, more quiet time gained by shutting off the TV for a while or cutting back on social media. attending Stations of the Cross on Fridays, etc.  The second part is pretty self-explanatory as well and involves not only possibly giving to charity, but also things like reaching out to the elderly, the homeless, visiting the sick, etc.  The third level is perhaps not one that crosses the minds of most people.  There are so many pressing issues such as immigration reform, working for peace, pro life activities, care for the environment.  Lent is a great time not only to pray over these issues but to seek to get involved in some way.

  I promise you that if you engage the Lord in these ways that you will have a wonderful Holy Week and Easter.

  God Bless and have a wonderful and fruitful Lent..

And, please click on the link below to see Pope Francis' lenten message.
Pope Francis Lenten Message

Moving Out and Moving Ahead Cautiosly