From the Pastor to His People

08-06-2023Weekly ReflectionFr. Bing Colasito

In the Gospel, Jesus transfigured in the presence of His disciples Peter, James, and John. The transfiguration displayed God's glory and deepened their understanding of His identity and mission. When the disciples heard and experienced Jesus' glory in the mountain, it reminded them of what happened to Moses at Mt. Sinai (Ex.24). Jesus brought three disciples to Mt. Tabor while Moses also led three of his close associates up the mountain. Moses' face shone when he came down, while a cloud overshadowed Mt. Sinai a symbol of His glory. All the similarities reinforced the theme Matthew already developed: Jesus is the new Moses who comes to deliver the people of God. But Matthew emphasized that there is someone greater than Moses is here. Jesus is no mere human mediator like Moses; He is the Son of God, and His glory is not a reflected glory but His own.

In the transfiguration of Jesus, beyond all the shining and the white light, it was the voice of God telling them that Jesus is His beloved Son, in whom He is well pleased, asking them to listen to Him; this transformed the Apostles. Conversion and transformation are interior realities and not something external. Peter was not listening when he offered to build three tents what God wanted was for them to listen to His beloved Son. The problem for many of us is that we are so busy doing the work of God that we forget to listen to the Will of God. Let us listen to God always and experience the transfiguration moment with Him.

In the image of the transfigured Lord, His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became dazzling white. The scene reminds us that the Lord will manifest Himself to us only if we allow Him. Meaning we make time to know and experience Him more deeply. The problem with modern man is not giving God that chance. Another takeaway in this Gospel is that too often, we react immediately and do things in haste when God asks us only to listen to Him. Let us listen to God more, listen well, listen to Him always.

It is sad to see people consume or spend their whole lives pursuing worldly agendas, seeking worldly approval at the cost of giving up their principles and values or their very souls. We forget that we have a God to serve, a mission to do, and a final destination: Heaven. We are so busy pursuing personal goals that we forget that life is a journey. The most important journey is our interior journey, the journey to the heart of God, to others hearts, and our own heart that matters in the end.

As disciples, we seek transformation, not elimination. We have a God who gives unlimited second chances to grow, change, transform, and be a better person. Please remember that if God were to deal with us as we deserve we all are unworthy. God gives what we do not deserve and forgives even if we do not deserve His forgiveness.

Make peace with your past so it does not spoil your present; time heals almost everything, so give time some time. No one is the reason for your happiness except yourself. Please do not compare your life with others because you have no idea what their life is. Stop too much thinking; it is all right not to know all the answers. Be joyful! You do not own all the problems in the world.