Dear Friend,
The Gospel this Sunday is on the Transfiguration of our Lord (Matthew 17:1-9). Again, please focus on how Jesus taught His disciples. Let us find out why Jesus only brought Peter, James and John to witness His Transfiguration. Find out also why they were afraid after they heard a voice from above, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am pleased; listen to him." (v.5)
This was the second time a voice from above had said this. The first time was when Jesus was baptized by John, the Baptizer. Although Peter, James and John were not there, the other disciples must have related this exceptional event to them. Later, Peter would declared that Jesus is the Messiah (Matthew 16:16).
Only this time, the voice had emphasized the words, "listen to him."
"When the disciples heard this, they fell prostrate and were very much afraid." (v.6) Why? Had they not been following every word Jesus had said?
This Gospel started with the phrase, "After six days." What happened six days earlier? Please read Matthew 16:24-28 when Jesus gave His disciples the conditions of discipleship:
"Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it."
Now, they must have recalled that only six days earlier Jesus for the second time gave them these "conditions of discipleship." (See Matthew 10:37-39.)
Yes, they had been following every word He had said. But this time, a deeper commitment was asked by Jesus – one that involved a personal conversion – a denying of oneself, taking up his cross, of losing one’s life.
They were afraid! Jesus had to reassure them, "Rise, and do not be afraid."
This time, Peter’s declaration that Jesus is the Messiah was not enough for them to commit themselves. They had to witness His Transfiguration, to hear the Father Himself, and to be reassured by Jesus, the Son.
This must be revealed to only Peter, James and John as the others could not yet grasp it. Jesus charged them "not to tell the vision to anyone until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead" – His resurrection. This deeper commitment to follow after Him must start with Peter, James and John.
Please assist the family into their own deeper commitment to follow Jesus during this season of Lent.
Meditation ~
What is it that I must "deny" in myself?
It will be a "cross" to deny it.
But Jesus assured me of a "resurrection" to a new life.
Contemplation ~
Imagine yourself with Jesus on the high mountain. Experience the Transfiguration. Hear the Father Himself say to you: "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am pleased; listen to him." And be reassured by Jesus, the Son: "Rise, and do not be afraid."
Family Response ~
Talk about each one’s experience "on the high mountain."
Joe & Charito
THE CATHOLIC ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA'S
ONLINE RESOURCE FOR FAMILY MINISTRIES
www.simbahayan.org
servants@simbahayan.org
|