Transform and transfigured

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.

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.

References

1	(n.d.). Daniel, chapter 7 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved August 6, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/daniel/7
2	(n.d.). Psalms, chapter 97 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved August 6, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/psalms/97
3	(n.d.). 2 Peter, chapter 1 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved August 6, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/2peter/1
4	(n.d.). Luke, chapter 9 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved August 6, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/luke/9
5	(n.d.). Creighton U Daily Reflections .... Retrieved August 6, 2019, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html
6	(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved August 6, 2019, from https://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/
7	(n.d.). The Transfiguration of the Lord (Feast) - Mass Readings and Catholic .... Retrieved August 6, 2019, from https://wau.org/meditations/2019/08/06/
8	(n.d.). Catholic Culture. Retrieved August 6, 2019, from https://www.catholicculture.org/
9	(2019, August 6). Feast of the Transfiguration — Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved August 6, 2019, from https://cac.org/feast-of-the-transfiguration-2019-08-06/

Nourish the blessed fruit

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today call us to personal responsibility for our behaviour.

Model the Way

The Prophet Ezekiel clarifies that the sins of the father are not punished in the son, nor are the actions of the son, held against the father.

* [18:2] Parents…on edge: a proverb the people quoted to complain that they were being punished for their ancestors’ sins; cf. Jer 31:29.
* [18:6] Eat on the mountains: take part in meals after sacrifice at the high places.
* [18:25] The LORD’s way is not fair: this chapter rejects the idea that punishment is transferred from one generation to the next and emphasizes individual responsibility and accountability.

In the Gospel from Matthew, Jesus invites us to bless children and contemplate the ways in which they lead us to be better people.

* [19:13–15] This account is understood by some as intended to justify the practice of infant baptism. That interpretation is based principally on the command not to prevent the children from coming, since that word sometimes has a baptismal connotation in the New Testament; see Acts 8:36.

Kyle Lierk concludes that It is safe to say that Jesus not only enjoyed surrounding himself with the spirited energy of youth, but he directed the attention of those following him to look upon children as models to follow on our pilgrimage toward God.

Today, as I reflect on Jesus’ words and actions with “little ones,” I pray for deeper compassion and wisdom with how we treat children in our world.  Children who are suffering at the hands of governments along borders, the hands of militias in various countries and even the hands of our own Church.  Inspired by the words of Jesus, may we all listen more attentively to the mysteries of the Kingdom of God revealed through children - mysteries of curiosity and freedom and so much more.  Inspired by the actions of Jesus, may we all place hands of blessing on our children “for the Kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

Friar Jude Winkler notes that the attitude of connecting the sins of the father and son was challenged by Ezekiel to emphasize our personal responsibility for our actions toward others. Simple trust, as modeled by children, is an important component of our conversion. Friar Jude notes that our baggage and habits prevent us from seeing the goodness around us and within us.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, reviews his week of meditations reminding that If anything is true, then it has always been true; and people who sincerely search will touch upon the same truth in every age and culture, while using different language, symbols, and rituals to point us in the same direction.

The ancient, diverse Hindu tradition led to the overwhelming consensus and conclusion that the Atman (True Self/Individual Consciousness) is the same as Brahman (God). This is summarized in the well-known Sanskrit phrase Tat Tvam Asi, loosely translated as “Thou art That.”

The truths of individual responsibility and the image of God that forms our True Self are visible in children and approachable in meditation.

References

(n.d.). Ezekiel, chapter 18 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved August 18, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/ezekiel/18
(n.d.). Matthew 19. Retrieved August 18, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/matthew/matthew19.htm
(n.d.). Creighton U Daily Reflections .... Retrieved August 18, 2018, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html
(n.d.). Daily Meditations Archives - Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved August 18, 2018, from https://cac.org/category/daily-meditations/

Action, parable and a Way of forgiveness

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today urge us to look more deeply into the actions, slogans and stories we encounter for opportunities to witness to Jesus Way.

Stories that heal

The Prophet Ezekiel performs acts symbolic of the Exile in hopes of attracting the attention of his people to the message from God.

* [12:3–10] An exile’s bag contains bare necessities, probably no more than a bowl, a mat, and a waterskin. The prophet’s action foreshadows the fate of ruler and people (vv. 11–14).

The use of the parable of the unforgiving servant by Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew may reset our sense of entitlement and restore our humility and thanksgiving.

* [18:21–35] The final section of the [Church Order] discourse deals with the forgiveness that the disciples are to give to their fellow disciples who sin against them. To the question of Peter how often forgiveness is to be granted (Mt 18:21), Jesus answers that it is to be given without limit (Mt 18:22) and illustrates this with the parable of the unmerciful servant (Mt 18:23–34), warning that his heavenly Father will give those who do not forgive the same treatment as that given to the unmerciful servant (Mt 18:35). Mt 18:21–22 correspond to Lk 17:4; the parable and the final warning are peculiar to Matthew. That the parable did not originally belong to this context is suggested by the fact that it really does not deal with repeated forgiveness, which is the point of Peter’s question and Jesus’ reply.

Brian Phillips explains the benefit of reading Scripture deeply and contemplatively, as he outlines five discourses in the Gospel of Matthew.

Beyond the obvious benefits that come to any Christian who grows in his understanding of Scripture, the months I have spent in St. Matthew’s Gospel have reminded me of the benefits of reading deeply and contemplatively, not only with Scripture, but with great literature.  Paying attention to repetitions, literary devices, identifying parallels, and pursuing types and patterns yields tremendous reward. Making comparisons and connections brings greater clarity to all of our reading and guides us in the cultivation of wisdom and virtue in ourselves and our hearers.

Barbara Dilly adds the effect of slogans to the actions and parables of the texts today.

So often those of us who are rich and powerful go around announcing that God is on our side; and not even the rich or the powerful, but those who want to be make such claims.  My neighbor has a big sign on his house that says “God, Guns, and Guts Made America Free.” While I am certainly not going to suggest that my neighbor is demonstrating blatant and disdainful pride, I wonder if he ever prays for “liberty and justice” for all?  I think we still have a lot of work to do in achieving those desired ends. And I think it will take a lot more humility than pride to realize freedom and justice for all in America. It’s not a done deal. We still need God’s justice a lot more than some people would like to admit.

Don Schwager quotes Hilary of Poitiers (315-367 AD) on the topic of how often shall I forgive?

"When Peter asked him whether he should forgive his brother sinning against him up to seven times, the Lord replied, 'Not up to seven times but up to seventy times seven times'” In every way he teaches us to be like him in humility and goodness. In weakening and breaking the impulses of our rampant passions he strengthens us by the example of his leniency, by granting us in faith pardon of all our sins. For the vices of our nature did not merit pardon. Therefore all pardon comes from him. In fact, he pardons even those sins that remain in one after confession. The penalty to be paid through Cain was established at sevenfold, but that sin was against a man, against his brother Abel, to the point of murder (Genesis 4:8). But in Lamech the penalty was established at seventy times seven times (Genesis 4:24), and, as we believe, the penalty was established on those responsible for the Lord’s Passion. But the Lord through the confession of believers grants pardon for this crime. By the gift of baptism he grants the grace of salvation to his revilers and persecutors. How much more is it necessary, he shows, that pardon be returned by us without measure or number. And we should not think how many times we forgive, but we should cease to be angry with those who sin against us, as often as the occasion for anger exists. Pardon’s frequency shows us that in our case there is never a time for anger, since God pardons us for all sins in their entirety by his gift rather than by our merit. Nor should we be excused from the requirement of giving pardon that number of times [i.e., seventy times seven], since through the grace of the gospel God has granted us pardon without measure." (excerpt from ON MATTHEW 18.10)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Matthew 18:21–19:1 comments how many angry or resentful thoughts against people are able to bounce around in our heads. It’s not that we like having these negative thoughts. But we may not know how to get free of them, or we may not be ready to forgive.

When it comes to larger hurts, it can be difficult if not impossible to forgive completely. But here are four simple steps we can take that may help us: first, thank Jesus for being so merciful to you. Second, tell Jesus that you want to forgive the one who hurt you, but that it hurts too much to forgive just now. Third, know that Jesus is with you. He knows how much you are hurting. He understands. He still loves you. Finally, ask Jesus for the grace to forgive over time.
Sometimes the deep hurts of life can take months or years to be healed. Jesus knows this, and he understands. He is infinitely patient, just as he is infinitely generous with his own grace and mercy.

Friar Jude Winkler describes the situation in Babylon as Ezekiel acts out as an exile prior to the 587 BCE removal of people from Jerusalem to Babylon. Forgiveness is based on the need of the other for forgiveness. The numbers in the Gospel are interpreted as an exhortation to forgive others an infinite number of times.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, connects several central ideas affirmed by Jesus to those already formed in the ancient Hindu texts Vedas, Upanishads and the Bhagavad Gita. Three of these ideas are advaita, karma, and maya.

I am convinced that Jesus taught the karmic world view, but many Christians understood him inside a reward and punishment framework. Here are just a couple illustrations: “If you show mercy, mercy will be shown to you” (Matthew 5:7, Luke 6:37); “The standard you use will be used for you” (Mark 4:24).

Action examples, parables and even slogans are opportunities to look deeper, and hopefully see that all things are parts of much larger ecosystems of connection and life. 

References

(n.d.). Ezekiel, chapter 12 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved August 16, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/ezekiel/12

(n.d.). Matthew 18:21-35. Retrieved August 16, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/matthew/matthew18.htm
(2014, May 22). The 5 Discourses of Jesus | Circe Institute. Retrieved August 16, 2018, from https://www.circeinstitute.org/blog/5-discourses-jesus
(n.d.). Creighton U Daily Reflections .... Retrieved August 16, 2018, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html
(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved August 16, 2018, from http://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/
(n.d.). Meditations - The Word Among Us. Retrieved August 16, 2018, from https://wau.org/meditations/
(n.d.). Daily Meditations Archives - Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved August 16, 2018, from https://cac.org/category/daily-meditations/

Opportunity to see the Way

A Gift that gives encouragement

The King on the Cross loves all as brothers