August 06, 2020

Transfiguration of the Lord

Mt 17: 1-9

Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. Then Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 

While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, “This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!” When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Get up and do not be afraid.” 

And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone. As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, “Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”

New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.

Rise up and be not afraid

Quite often, I have been utterly confused, and a bit thrown off, by God’s plan.  I imagine Peter, James and John felt nothing short of bewildered when Jesus took them up the mountain that day. Not only did they witness the appearance of Moses and Elijah, but they heard the resounding voice of God! In response they notably fell flat on the ground and were terrified.

When I become scared and confused, it is easy to forget the way God holds and cares for us. Doing so, I prevent the Lord’s embrace from ridding me of my fears and anxieties. Again and again Jesus has to remind me to “rise up and not be afraid”. If only I could completely internalize this trust so Jesus wouldn’t have to remind me every time I become bewildered! Fortunately, God walks beside us through each step and reminds us to surrender the stress of what we simply cannot control and raise our eyes to the face of Christ. 

—Rose-Carmel Goddard is a student at the University of Michigan and is an active member of St. Mary Student Parish in Ann Arbor, MI.

Prayer

From the belief that I have to earn Your love - Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear that I am unlovable - Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear that trusting You will leave me more destitute - Deliver me, Jesus.
From all suspicion of Your words and promises - Deliver me, Jesus.
From the rebellion against childlike dependency on You -  Deliver me, Jesus.
From refusals and reluctances in accepting Your will - Deliver me, Jesus.
From anxiety about the future - Deliver me, Jesus.
From resentment or excessive preoccupation with the past - Deliver me, Jesus.
From restless self-seeking in the present moment - Deliver me, Jesus.
From disbelief in Your love and presence - Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being asked to give more than I have - Deliver me, Jesus.
From the belief that my life has no meaning or worth - Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of what love demands - Deliver me, Jesus.
From discouragement - Deliver me, Jesus.
That You are continually holding me sustaining me, loving me - Jesus, I trust in you.
That Your love goes deeper than my sins and failings, and transforms me - Jesus, I trust in you.
That not knowing what tomorrow brings is an invitation to lean on You - Jesus, I trust in you.
That You will not leave me orphan, that You are present in Your Church - Jesus, I trust in you.
That Your plan is better than anything else - Jesus, I trust in you.
That You always hear me and in Your goodness always respond to me - Jesus, I trust in you.
That You give me the grace to accept forgiveness and to forgive others - Jesus, I trust in you.
That You give me all the strength I need for what is asked - Jesus, I trust in you.
That my life is a gift - Jesus, I trust in you.
That You will teach me to trust You - Jesus, I trust in you.
That You are my Lord and my God - Jesus, I trust in you.
That I am Your beloved one - Jesus, I trust in you.
Amen.

—Litany of Trust, written by Sr. Faustina Maria Pia, SV (Sister of Life)