Tranfiguration - Standing In God's Holy Fire

Pope Benedict in his Encyclical “God is Love” wrote: “Being Christian is not the result of an ethical choice or a lofty idea, but the encounter with an event, a person, which gives life a new horizon and a decisive direction” Today on the Second Sunday of Lent, God through his Church, is calling upon us to ascend the great mountain and encounter the Lord. The very one who gives life a “new horizon and decisive direction”.

To begin this journey properly and with some foundation for the path that God desires us to take, we must look at the First Reading from Genesis (22:1-18). There Abraham goes up the mountain and in answer to God’s unfathomable request to sacrifice his only son Isaac, he responds, “here I am Lord”. Because of his faith, Abraham does not fear what might wait for him up the mountain. He has full trust and confidence in the God that he serves. He knows that whatever might become of this trip he is about to make, God will be there, and all will be well. Because of this God tells Abraham, “By myself I have sworn, declares the LORD, because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies, and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice.” (22: 16-18) Here we see the promise also of the Christ who is to come. The promised offspring of Abraham through whom the entire creation will be blessed. You see underneath the story of Abraham is also the story of Jesus Christ. The Book of Genesis, when you read it through the eyes and actions of Jesus, you find the New Testament there.

Why does the Church want us to reflect upon this passage today? She wants us to do what Abraham did, to trust God and have faith in him. The type of faith that leads us to give up all things and to follow him alone. We are being called not to give up our sons or daughters, but our very selves. If we want to journey with Jesus up the mountain of faith, then this is what we all are called to do.

In today’s Gospel from Mark (9:2-10), we find that Peter, James, and John, are ready to make the trip up the mountain with Jesus. What do they find there? They see Jesus transfigured before their very eyes. We are told that Jesus’s clothes become “glistening, intensely white, as no fuller on earth could bleach them.” Meaning that if we had the best washing machine that money could buy, then with all the bleach and Ajax we could get our hands on, we could not make a garment as white and bright as Jesus was at that moment. Many of the Church Fathers see this light that is coming forth from Jesus not as created light, light from this world, but divine light pouring forth from his divinity. Peter, James, and John, stand in the visible fire of God and they are not consumed by it. Like Moses before the burning bush or the Mother of God who held in herself the creator of the world, they stood in the in the midst of God himself and were able to stand and not be burned by all his glory.

What then did Peter, James, and John encounter in this Holy Fire, this divine light that surrounded them? They found the light that is full of life and transformation. The light that is overflowing with the burning power of God’s love. The found the love that has the power to change lives and redeem souls. This fire then becomes like a fire that is used to purify precious metals such as gold or silver. As you heat it up the impurities burn or go to the bottom, then all you are left with is pure gold or silver. Purifying love, the burning presence of God is illumined and made visible, this is what Peter, James, and John found upon that mountain with Jesus.

This must lead us to ask the questions, how do we today make this trip with Jesus? How are we lead up the mountain of faith by our Lord himself? How are we able to stand in God’s Holy Fire and not be consumed by it? Now, right before making this same journey with his closest disciples, Jesus tells them what is needed to encounter God’s transforming fire. He says, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it.” (Mark 8:34-35) Jesus is making it clear, if you want to be transformed through my divine light and love, the you must give up yourself and live for God and others. Glory is only found on the other side of the Cross.

We can see this Cross pattern of living in the Lenten practice that we should be keeping this time of year and all year for that matter. The actions of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, all place the Cross at center of our hearts and in the middle of our lives. Allowing them to be broken opened and refashioned by God’s love and mercy, by his Holy Fire. In the Gospels we see Jesus doing these three same actions often. Think about the many times we hear of him going off to pray by himself. Like each one of us should be doing, spending time with our Father in heaven. Listening to the desires and plans that he has for us. Talking about the problems that confront us. Asking him to be a light to our feet and a path out of any darkness that we may find. We also find Jesus fasting before he is tested by the Evil One and begins his three-year public ministry. If the Son of God himself had to do this in preparation, does it not make sense that we should also? You bet we should. By fasting we prepare ourselves, through the Holy Spirit’s assistance, to be ready to overcome the many trials and tribulations that life will surely bring our way. Lastly, as with the others, we hear our Lord reminding us repeatedly about the importance of giving alms. Saying no to ourselves and giving to someone else purely out of love. Alms giving is another way that we can practice what it means to give up self and live for other people. Jesus had to empty himself to become the slave of all, so we must do likewise. As he tells is so clearly about where our true treasure should be, “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give alms; provide yourselves with purses that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Luke 12:32-34) St. Paul too, also reminds us of this message, “our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich. (2 Corinthians 8:9)

So, it is by our Crossed-shaped living, giving up ourselves, that we make this trip up the mountain with Jesus. When we do get to the top, we also hear those same words that the Father speaks about Jesus, but only now they are for us also, “this is my beloved son or daughter with whom I am well pleased.” This is the voice that we find speaking to us when we have been transformed by grace through the very fire of God’s burning love.

Now St. Paul reminds us in Second Reading from Romans (8:31-34) that God is not asking us to do something that he has not already himself done. “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?” In some of the most powerful words to ever flow from the beautiful pen of St. Paul, he makes it clear that God gave up all, that we may have all. This is the awesome and full truth of the Christian Gospel, that upon the Cross, God made it very public, for all to see, what his boundless love and mercy looks like in action. It is at this very point that we learn the full power of the famous words from John’s Gospel, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” A love that has given us all things, that we may have all in Jesus. What confidence each one of us should have as sons and daughters of the Living God!

We can also see this same message reflected upon by St. Paul in his Letter to the Colossians, “seeing that you have stripped off the old self with its practices and have clothed yourselves with the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of its creator.” (Col 3:9–10) Through Jesus we have been clothed in this new light. This is the same light that Peter, James, and John found upon the high mountain with Jesus. The very light that makes all things new. The light of the new creations itself. The light that transforms us every day to be more like Jesus, who is the true image of both God and man. The prefect display of our true humanity in communion with God and one another. As St. John sees in Revelation, “they shall see his face, and his name shall be on their foreheads. And night shall be no more; they need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they shall reign for ever and ever.” (22:4-5)

To complete this picture, let’s look at one more part of today’s Gospel. Peter wants to set up three booths, one for Jesus, one for Moses, and one for Elijah, but as the Gospel says, he does not really know what to say. But Jesus knows that this encounter with divine light is not just for them, they have to go forth and take the light into the world. Jesus wants Peter to know that with discipleship comes the mission to spread the love of God to the ends of the Earth. Jesus has to make Peter and us understand that we must go down from the mountain and share the divine light of God with one another. It’s not just for our own sake, but a power at work to restore lives and the creation itself. Think about how this works here today at the Sacred Liturgy. We have to ascend the altar, the mountain of God to encounter Jesus. That is the reason most altars are raised up high, not just so the people can see, but so that we can ascend to God. There we receive the Body and Blood of Jesus, the very Body that showed forth it’s divine transforming light around the disciples. We too should be transformed by the fire that comes from the chalice of God’s love for us. Then we descend from the mountain and take the Resurrected light of Jesus Christ into the world. Taking light, hope, and mercy, to where there is only darkness, pain, and desperation. This is what the encounter with Jesus calls us to do on a daily basis. A call of action and love, always knowing full well the cost of our discipleship. The cost of the Cross and God’s love for us.

Let us not be afraid to make the journey up the mountain with Jesus. This is the only path that leads us to compete transformation as God’s light filled family. A path that takes us through the Cross, is the only one that leads to the glories of Easter/Pascha. It is during this time of Lent that we encounter “the event” the person of Jesus, he is the only one who gives life its “new horizon and a decisive direction”.  As we move forward this season, give up yourselves and open your minds and hearts to the transforming light that comes forth from Jesus Christ.

The Transitions of Modern Life

I turned 40 years old this year and received an email yesterday that caused me to reflect upon the many transitions that I have gone through over the years. I am sure that many of you have also had these moments when you look back at your life and take note of the different events that you recognize later where major times of transition; those certain events that causes our moving from one stage of life to another.

The email was a message from the Pastor of the local Roman Catholic Church here in Rocky Mount where my family and I live. The church also has the great ministry of a school attached to it. This is where my two oldest daughters, Elizabeth and Rebekah, attend Second Grade and Kindergarten. The email announced the retirement of a long-time teacher, who is now the Principal of the school. Yes after 37 years long of service she is going to take a much-needed rest from the stresses of the daily grind. The reason that I was so struck by this is because she was also my Kindergarten teacher. For my entire life, she has been a key part and fixture of the school. Today she has become its face and I would say even its heart beat. It will be a major transition in my eyes and mind not to drive up to school on those mornings when I drop the kids off and her not to be greeting the kids as that start their day. It will be difficult to visit someone else in the principal’s office, but as we all know moments like this happen in our lives. Still, this does not make it any easier. Since our kids have been attending school there, my relationship has also grown with my one-time teacher. Through working on fundraising activities together or just talking about the many goings on that surround the life of a school, we have become friends. Because of her presence and many others, the school has the feel and workings of a family. Its full of life and the spirit of love. When you walk through the halls it seems more like home than just an ordinary school. In other words, the Spirit of Jesus is alive and is at work bringing forth fruit for the Kingdom of God. Our Principal is a key component of this. She realizes and puts into action that a school is not like a business, but like a garden. A place where the hearts and minds of young people grow up and blossom. She acts not because of the need to beat test score benchmarks, or to check off all the required boxes, but purely out of her deep love for children. God desires people to work through, those chosen ones who open themselves up to the Gospel, to be coworkers in Jesus’ message, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of God.” (Luke 18:16) This is the kind of person that the school is losing. One who knows the great importance of kids knowing Jesus and the bountiful love that only he can give. This is indeed a great moment of transition.

Now I know that a school, a family, is much bigger than just one person, but that does not remove my present sadness over the announcement. I am confident that trough much prayer and hard work the school will be fine. Because it’s the Spirit of the living God who builds the house. God is truly the one who transform a house into a home. As St Paul confidently tells us, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” (1 Corinthians 15:58) It is because of the Lord that we are able to make it through these tough moments of transition. No matter what type of event that we might be going through, God is always there. He is at our side guiding us in the ups and downs that face us throughout our lives. We are able to put complete trust in the living God because he does not change. There is no transition moments or events with God, but only the present assurance and steadfast love of knowing Jesus Christ our Lord. As Hebrews says, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (13:8) This is the only formula that will help us along the path of life in this world. A world that at times is so full chaos and confusion, that we seem not know where to turn, but because of the faithful God who revealed himself is Jesus, we have placed before us the proper direction and goals in our lives.  

Looking back at the other transition moments in my life, even though at the time I did not see it fully, God was a bright lamp and guide for my feet. A Spirit of both comfort and joy. He was there when my father died, and I was only 13 years old. He was there when I decided to work in the family business at the age of 19. He was there at the age of 22 when I returned to Church after a too long departure. He was there at the age of 24 when I found a friend who lead me into Eastern Church and the beauty of her Liturgy and spiritualty. He was there when I met my future loving wife at the same church. He was there at the age of 31 when she and I were crowned with glory and honor in marriage. He has been there when each of our five children have been born. He was there when at the age of 35 when through divine grace I was ordained a Deacon. He will be there during this transition also, leading and guiding all of those involved. Giving the same consolation and gladness that only he can pour out upon us. As our great God and Lord, himself told us, “And know, I am with you always, even to the close of the age.” (Matt 28:20)

As all of us go through certain transition moments in our lives. Sometimes with tears, other times with joy. Always looking towards Jesus and asking him to give us the needed grace to move forward with his plans and not our own. It is up to us to make our own transition moments God inspired and for God’s glory alone. It is with this great confidence in God’s purposes that I know he will continue to bless the school that I love so much. He will give us someone worthy to stand and act in the large loving shoes that must be filled.  I also know that he will continue to bless the teacher, even though I gave her a lot of trouble 35 years ago, that I love and who has shown me how to love so much.

Forgotten Vestments - A Message From God?

On Fridays I volunteer and teach a Bible Study for the middle schoolers at the Catholic School in town. This past Friday I missed it because I had to return back home to get my vestments for Mass, which immediately follows the study. As I am on the last street about to turn into the school parking lot, I look in the back seat and to my surprise, no vestments. I then had to rush home and pickup my necessary vestments to serve at Mass. This is about a 35-minute round trip, so there was no way for me to make it back in time to teach the study. Which was very disappointing because we are going through Luke’s Gospel, probably my favorite of the four.  

On the trip back home, after making a phone call to the school to tell them what had happened. I started to think about how this had transpired. What had gone wrong? As I reflected upon my actions during the morning, it occurred to me that the break down took place during the last moments before I left the house. First there was controversy because our second daughter, Rebekah, could not find her shirt for her Mass uniform. So of course, there was a major break down on that front, with much wailing and crying. Then I was on the phone with someone from work as I was packing up to leave the house. Looking back, I was clearly distracted and did not take the time to check and be sure that I had everything that I needed for the day. This is normally the last thing that I do before leaving the house; spending an extra minute or two in order to make a mental inventory check list and double check that I was ready for the day. No question that I failed on this task.

As I was driving it hit me that God was trying to tell me something. He wanted me to see that I needed to take the extra time and work harder at making this Lent more fruitful in my life. God always desires us to learn and grow from the different situations that we find ourselves in. This event was indeed good for that God inspired purpose. So often we all get so caught up in our daily lives we forget about putting God first. He knows full well where our distractions come from, he also knows what it takes to get us to spend the extra time that is needed to restore and grow in our relationship with him. For on that day I found out it was forgotten items that gave me the blessing to look at what was happening and see God at work in it. Telling me all along, “you need to slow down and do not get so caught up in all the detractions around you, but keep your heart and mind focused upon me.” From that moment on, I have redoubled my efforts to make more room for God, to allow him to lead and guide me this Lenten Season.

For some reason this reminds me of the passage in Exodus when Israel is about to cross over the Red Sea and the people are complaining to Moses because it looks like they are trapped by the Egyptians. But Moses tells the people, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will work for you today; for the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be still.” (14:13-14) They too, like so many of us, have to stop complaining, take the needed time at the right moments, becoming still, learning to live on God’s time, keeping his plan and not our own. Only by practicing this habit, will we let God be fully and entirely at work in us. I could have been mad and angry by what had happened that frustrating morning. But no, I looked upon it and tried to find out what good could come from these disappointing events. Asking the great questions, “where in all of this could I give God the glory? What can I learn from it that might stop this problem from happening again?" When problems do confront us, and they surly will. Let us not get caught up in complaining and trying to cast blame, but take the time and stand back, try to hear and understand the small voice of the mighty God whom we serve.