The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to explore the connection between mystical experience, a sense of the sacred and our transformation as followers of Jesus during our journey.
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| Place of encounter |
In the reading from the Book of Daniel, the Son of Man appears among the Beasts of persecuting empires.
* [7:13–14] One like a son of man: In contrast to the worldly kingdoms opposed to God, which are represented as grotesque beasts, the coming Kingdom of God is represented by a human figure. Scholars disagree as to whether this figure should be taken as a collective symbol for the people of God (cf. 7:27) or identified as a particular individual, e.g., the archangel Michael (cf. 12:1) or the messiah. The phrase “Son of Man” becomes a title for Jesus in the gospels, especially in passages dealing with the Second Coming (Mk 13 and parallels).1
In Psalm 97 the hymn begins with God appearing in a storm.
* [Psalm 97] The hymn begins with God appearing in a storm, a traditional picture of some ancient Near Eastern gods (Ps 97:1–6); cf. Ps 18:8–16; Mi 1:3–4; Heb 3:3–15. Israel rejoices in the overthrowing of idol worshipers and their gods (Ps 97:7–9) and the rewarding of the faithful righteous (Ps 97:10–12).2
The passage from the second letter of Peter calls to mind the apostle’s witness to the truth.
* [1:12–19] The purpose in writing is to call to mind the apostle’s witness to the truth, even as he faces the end of his life (2 Pt 1:12–15), his eyewitness testimony to Christ (1 Pt 1:16–18), and the true prophetic message (2 Pt 1:19) through the Spirit in scripture (2 Pt 1:20–21), in contrast to what false teachers are setting forth (2 Pt 2).3
The Gospel from Luke describes the Transfiguration of Jesus.
* [9:28–36] Situated shortly after the first announcement of the passion, death, and resurrection, this scene of Jesus’ transfiguration provides the heavenly confirmation to Jesus’ declaration that his suffering will end in glory (Lk 9:32); see also notes on Mt 17:1–8 and Mk 9:2–8.4
Steve Scholer asks why compliment someone anyway? Is it our duty to make someone feel good about themselves or their work? We are all big people, so why should we waste our time singling out an achievement or something we liked? For that matter, why did God tell Jesus he was “well pleased” with him? Wasn’t Jesus just fulfilling the prophecy?
As Christians, we need to be aware of the positive impact our interaction with others and our sincere and genuine compliments can have. We should recognize and compliment the good a person is doing in their life to help others, the unselfish way in which they share their time and talent with those less fortunate, or the success they have had in overcoming obstacles. Our admiration, support, or encouragement can bring a smile to a face, change a mood, soothe souls and maybe even change a life.5
Don Schwager quotes “The transfiguration of Jesus,” by Saint Jerome (347-420 AD).
"Do you wish to see the transfiguration of Jesus? Behold with me the Jesus of the Gospels. Let him be simply apprehended. There he is beheld both 'according to the flesh' and at the same time in his true divinity. He is beheld in the form of God according to our capacity for knowledge. This is how he was beheld by those who went up upon the lofty mountain to be apart with him. Meanwhile those who do not go up the mountain can still behold his works and hear his words, which are uplifting. It is before those who go up that Jesus is transfigured, and not to those below. When he is transfigured, his face shines as the sun, that he may be manifested to the children of light, who have put off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light (Romans 13:12). They are no longer the children of darkness or night but have become the children of day. They walk honestly as in the day. Being manifested, he will shine to them not simply as the sun but as he is demonstrated to be, the sun of righteousness." (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON MATTHEW 12.37.10)6
The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 9:28-36 comments that the Father also knew that as Jesus approached his passion, he would need a powerful sign that he would not be going through it alone. So he said, “This is my chosen Son,” echoing the words he had spoken at Jesus’ baptism, when he was just beginning his public ministry ((Luke 9:35; 3:22). Imagine how much comfort and encouragement this event gave to Jesus!
If God cared for his Son in such a profound way, of course he will care for you. You too are his beloved, his chosen one. When you are facing difficult times or even just trying to navigate the ups and downs of life, your Father wants to encourage you. He probably won’t speak in an audible voice, but he will reassure you of his love, his comfort, and his support. He may do it through the steadfast presence of a friend
or spouse, or through a Scripture verse that speaks to your heart. He may give you some small sign that you should persevere on the path you’re on, even when you’re tempted to doubt.7
The Catholic Culture website shares the Collect Prayer for today.
O God, who in the glorious Transfiguration of your Only Begotten Son confirmed the mysteries of faith by the witness of the Fathers and wonderfully prefigured our full adoption to sonship, grant, we pray, to your servants, that, listening to the voice of your beloved Son, we may merit to become co-heirs with him. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.8
Friar Jude Winkler discusses the Son of Man and Suffering Servant imagery in the Liturgy for today. In Luke, Jesus prays 11 times including on Mt Tabor prior to His Transfiguration. Friar Jude confirms that mystical experience is often difficult to share with others.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, shares that Dom Bede Griffiths (1906–1993) believed, the Hindu world had much to teach the West. India had preserved a religious depth, an appreciation for interiority, that was so often effaced in Western culture. A true dialogue between East and West would help seekers in both cultures to travel “upstream,” [to what Cynthia Bourgeault calls the “headwaters” of the world’s religions—RR] to find their way to a deeper dimension of reality in which all religious paths might ultimately converge.
In Kerala Griffiths helped to establish a monastic ashram—a community faithful to the monastic tradition, while adapting its form to Indian culture. . . . He experimented with yoga, meditation, and other Indian spiritual disciplines. He also immersed himself in the study of Vedanta and the Hindu religious classics. His study confirmed his faith that Christ represented the fulfillment of the religious quest. But just as the church had discerned the mystery of Christ hidden in the religious history of Israel, so it was possible and necessary to discover the face of Christ hidden within all the religions of the world. . . . This was Griffiths’s life project and his passion.9
The Gospel shares the mystical experience of Peter John and James in prayer with Jesus. The encounters we have with the Divine on our journey add strength to our faith in mystical connection.
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