February 22, 2021
St. Kateri
Let us carry our cross and give gratitude to Jesus
Let us pray: Mark 9:2-10 The Transfiguration
2 After six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them. 3 His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. 4 And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus.
5 Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 6 (He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.)
7 Then a cloud appeared and covered them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!”
8 Suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus.
9 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus gave them orders not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. 10 They kept the matter to themselves, discussing what “rising from the dead” meant.
This Sunday we will celebrate the Solemnity of the Transfiguration of Jesus, where Jesus becomes transfigured in glory! He appears in glory with Elijah and Moses.
We hear that the Voice of God spoke to the disciples saying this is my beloved Son, listen to him!
When I hear this passage, I am reminded of that passage from the gospel of John, “God from God, Light from Light” we read this in the Creed every Sunday.
I am also prompted to think that we like Jesus are called to be Transfigured each day as we take up our personal crosses and follow Him in that perfect light from light, to be Jesus for others.
Lent is a time to intensify our lives with more prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. What does that do for the soul? Well, it should give us a chance to show God that we are willing to grow in his love and in the love of the Church that asks us to do more than the usual acts of kindness towards others.
To be generous in our time for others, to be light for others, to be transformed into the love and kindness that Jesus shows everyone who comes to him.
By being better men and women of God we give back to God what he has given us.
A life of prayer and service for others and in return we receive eternal life. When was the last time you took the time to just be with God? When was the last you make it a point to be light for others?
During this Lenten time God simply but profoundly askes each of us to remain on course to love and serve him as he did his Father and was obedient to him, may we listen to Jesus, he is the Lord of all and the creator of love and justice for all!
This Sunday is our Sunday to be transfigured and to live for Jesus and for him alone. May God be praised in all that we say and do.
To be transformed is to be reformed into the best version of yourself God has created within our very souls.
Peace and all good,
Brother Ed Arambasich, OFM