Feast of the Transfiguration August 6, 2023

Fr. Rick’s Two-Minute Homily for Feast of the Transfiguration
August 6, 2023, Matthew 17:1-9
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/080623.cfm

Let’s Stay Here!

“This is my Beloved Son. Listen to him.” Don’t we listen to people who matter to us? The Father didn’t say, “Follow him.”

He didn’t say, “Love Him.” Probably because before we follow Jesus and love Jesus, we must first “Listen to him.” Yes, it is true – We listen to people who matter to us. A doctor is someone we listen to very carefully. When we listen to our doctor, we urgently act upon what he tells us.

Listening involves some degree of intimacy. The more critical the information, the more committed we are to a person, the more we listen.

The Transfiguration of Jesus reveals an intimacy Jesus has with his Father. Jesus took Peter, James, and John up the mountain to experience the intimacy he shared with his Father. That intimacy born of love and honor gave Jesus the strength to climb another mountain – Calvary.

We, too, must climb this mountain of the Transfiguration with Jesus daily to draw close to his heart in prayer, especially before the Blessed Sacrament. “Come to me all you who labor and are overburdened. I will give you rest.”

We need that intimate encounter with Jesus so we can travel with him down the mountain where he will encounter with us all who are suffering without him. Many saints have told us, ‘Jesus has no hands but ours, no feet but ours, no ears or eyes but ours.’

It’s reasonable to want to stay on that mountain of glory with Jesus and pitch a tent with Peter and the others.

The Founder of our religious order, The Institute of Charity, Antonio Rosmini, used this analogy: “The precious moments with Jesus daily in prayer are like the archer who pulls back his bow, ready to fling the arrow at its target.”

We don’t have the strength and healing power of Jesus to pull back that bow enough to alleviate the suffering in another’s heart. We can feed them, clothe them, and meet all their other needs, but only Jesus is the Master of the heart.

Gospel Challenge:
Let Jesus master our hearts in prayer every day, so whenever we encounter another person in need, they will say what Peter said, “It is so good that you are here!”

IGNITE THE FIRE!

Father Rick Pilger, I.C.
pastor

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