Saturday, August 6, 2016

The Transfiguration

BEADS OF JOY 08-06-16
“The Transfiguration”
©2016 James Dacey, Jr. OFS

My Friends,


Today’s Gospel: Luke 9:28b-36 (The Transfiguration)
“Now about eight days after these sayings he took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. And as he was praying, the appearance of his countenance was altered, and his raiment became dazzling white. And behold, two men talked with him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure, which he was to accomplish at Jerusalem. Now Peter and those who were with him were heavy with sleep, and when they wakened they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. And as the men were parting from him, Peter said to Jesus, "Master, it is well that we are here; let us make three booths, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah" -- not knowing what he said. As he said this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, "This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!" And when the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silence and told no one in those days anything of what they had seen.”

Reflection:
What happen to Peter, James and John’s focus? Why did they take their eyes off Jesus and bundle Him up with Moses and Elijah? Are we prepared to see Almighty God in all His Glory? Will we stay fully focused on Him alone? Jesus allowed the disciples to see Him in His Glory. Why did God have to tell them to focus on Jesus? Weren’t the disciples Spiritually awake?

Are we Spiritually awake? Peter, James and John had the utmost privilege to see Jesus in His Glory and they didn’t see it. Well at least their words didn’t make it obvious to my understanding that they saw HIM alone as the Christ. Instead they focused on all three men. Almighty God had to “step in” and “guide them” I feel they missed the reason why they had the opportunity to witness such a magnificent sight.

We need to live our lives fully awake and aware of our Lord’s presence in it. Jesus alone and no one else takes center stage. Yes, we admire and learn from the saints and prophets and those of the Old Testament, but we do not make them equal to Jesus. Jesus is The Christ. The Son of the Living God. He is the only one we are to lift up in Worship and Praise every single day of our lives.

Here’s my opinion if it’s worth anything: 
If you live a life that always has Jesus in it and you spend time in scripture daily and you spend time before Him in adoration weekly and you go to Mass as often as you possibly can and you go to confession as often as you possibly can; well then staying focused on Jesus will be very easy for you. Why? Because you already do. That’s my opinion.

LOVE YOU GUYS !!!!


Your brother in Christ Jesus 
And His Most Blessed Mother,
Jim (The Rosary Man) Dacey Jr OFS