Homily080423_18thOT
Today, if you feel like I do, that we are surrounded, except when when we are together, by individuals that have no use or interest in Jesus Christ. Recently, I was asked by a very close relative, why I believed in such stuff? We were interrupted before I had a chance to respond. But the question, has caused me to deeply reflect on possible answers. Today, in our Gospel reading, we had the opportunity to hear about the transfiguration of Jesus Christ. Our gospel acclamation states the purpose of the transfiguration quite clearly: “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased, listen to him.” So, we listen to Him. Listening, implies a deep and mature relationship with Jesus…and a love between us that motivates us to be like HIM. My answer to my loved one, would obviously include Jesus Christ, my guide, my companion, and friend. Who are they listening too?
This seems like a very difficult task for many of our peers. Recently, I was listening to a popular podcast, where an educated young woman had become disillusioned with her faith. She proudly stated that she was deconstructing her faith. Eventually, she chose a career as a spiritual director, where she gladly supports others in the process of deconstructing. She strongly avoids the name of Jesus Christ in her own spiritual journey and practice in helping others. She stated quite simply that too many people have been harmed by others under the banner of HIS name. It made me wonder who she is listening too now?
This reminds me of a similar situation in scripture: found in John chapter 6. Where Jesus is preaching about the Bread from Heaven-the Eucharist. He is equating that the bread is his body. “So Jesus said to them Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.” (53) ) “After this saying many of his disciples drew back and no longer walked with him.” Who were they going to listening too now? I thought!
Jesus then responds with a heart wrenching question to his twelve disciples: will you also go away? Peters' response is beautiful stated “Lord to whom shall we go, you have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.” Because we are sitting and kneeling in our beloved church...we have a similar response…like Peter, James and John at the transfiguration event…we have the attitude that…it is very good to be here. This is where we listen to Him.
What are the benefits of listening to Jesus? Anastasius of Sinai, in his homily on the feast of the transfiguration in the 7th century states what we receive, beautifully:
“Therefore, since each of us possesses God in his heart and is being transformed into his divine image, we also should cry out with joy: It is good for us to be here—here where all things shine with divine radiance, where there is joy and gladness and exultation; where there is nothing in our hearts but peace, serenity and stillness, where God is seen. For here, in our hearts, Christ takes up his abode together with the Father, saying as he enters: Today salvation has come to this house. With Christ, our hearts receive all the wealth of his eternal blessings, and there where they are stored up for us in him, we see reflected as in a mirror both the first fruits and the whole of the world to come.” (End quote)
Peter, James and John had the awe-inspiring encounter with the transfigured Jesus, and it strengthened their faith for the purpose of sharing “the light” with the world. They had to come down from the mountain and face the complexity of a messy world. They did!
To change is painful. To be a Christian, a follower of Christ means that we have a deep bond with HIM. All relationships that are worthwhile, require us to adjust our lives accordingly. The purpose of our church…is to help form us into being a light for the world. Our transformation takes a lifetime, and this transformation requires us to listen to our conscience… for this is how we are guided in every moment and decision we make. When we receive the light of the world in the Eucharist, we are challenged to take this light, as it is reflected in our acts of kindness, into a dark and divided world.
Now let us prepare to meet Him in the Eucharist! Are we listening for HIS quiet voice within our hearts?
