The Transfiguration of the Lord in us

Good News ReflectionThursday of the 18th Week in Ordinary TimeAugust 6, 2009Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord
Today's Readings:Dan 7:9-10, 13-14Ps 97:1-2, 5-6, 92 Peter 1:16-19Mark 9:2-10http://www.usccb.org/nab/080609.shtmlUSCCB Podcast of the Readings:http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/09_08_06.mp3
The Transfiguration of the Lord in us
Atop Mount Tabor in Israel is where the pure light of Christ, the uncreated light of his true identity, was first revealed to the world. Not at his birth, not at his baptism, nor as he preached and healed. Although the Light of the World came to us in those momentous events, it was not revealed so clearly, so powerfully, so dramatically as when he let Peter, John, and James witness it on the mountaintop, as seen in today's Gospel passage.
The highest experience of faith was, and still is, when the Father says, "This is my beloved Son; LISTEN TO HIM." The transfiguration of Christ occurs – again and again – every time we listen to him and our faith is enlightened. It happens every time we have a breakthrough from blindness to understanding, from sinfulness to holiness, from doubt to trust. However, now WE are transfigured with Jesus!
Whenever we let his uncreated light consume the darkness within us, the people around us see Christ's true identity in us. We shine with him. This is what evangelization is! And the more we identify the areas of darkness that still linger in us, letting Jesus expose the truth in his light so that we repent (which means to change) and receive forgiveness, the more we're transformed into our true identity. What is our true identity? It's our innermost being that was created in the image of God!
Transfigurations are not meant to be solely for the high points of our lives. Although the shine may fade, it's still there as long as we're staying close to the source of true light. Jesus did not lose his holiness when the glow faded as he descended the mountain. It's in the dirt and darkness of the low points of life where our holiness makes a difference.
Jesus left his mountaintop experience to enter into his ministry of suffering. When we're transfigured by the light of Christ, we are called by Christ to leave our mountaintops to reveal his presence to the world, and although there is suffering in this ministry, we're comforted by remembering that every Good Friday is always followed by Resurrection Sunday.
Listen. Can you hear God's voice saying about you what he said about Jesus on Mount Tabor? "This is my beloved child; listen to him/her." He is saying this to others as you do the work to which he's called you. Some folks will hear him, some won't, but our yes to his calling is not based on how many people will heed his voice. We serve God because we have been transfigured. Our holiness impels us to go where we can do the greatest good.
© 2009 by Terry A. ModicaFor PERMISSION to copy any of my reflections, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections/copyrights-DR.htm
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