LISTEN AND GLISTEN
(Mark 9:2-10)
We are taken to the mount of
transfiguration like Peter James and John by Jesus today. There, Jesus wants to
strengthen our faith. Jesus wants to lift up our hearts. Jesus wants us to hear
what God tells us about Him. He shows His glistening nature and invites us to
activate our listening capacity so as to remain glistening spiritually and
otherwise. He encourages a life of transformation. He wants us to live in
anticipation for His glory that will soon be revealed. To do that more
effectively this Holy Season of Lent, let us learn from the Apostles, from
Moses and from Elijah. Men who
journeyed with the Lord in their lifetime.
WALK WITH THE LORD
We learn from the apostles to be
among the few who will follow Jesus to the Holy mountain of transfiguration this
Lenten season. They had ears to hear. That was why they followed Jesus up. It
is possible that the Lord gave an open invitation but these three are always
the ones with the proper disposition. Have you disposed yourself to hear Jesus
telling you this year: Come with me. Let's walk along. Let's talk along.
What is stopping you from
following so far? Why have you not begun to ascend spiritually? Why have not
joined in the stations of the cross? Why have you not started tracing your way
up to God?
It could be that the other
disciples were weak and afraid. It could be that they were considering what it
will take to climb the mountain. It could be that they were thinking of what to
eat on the way or they wanted to go their different ways and live their private
lives while Jesus was away. May be they had something to hide which closeness
will reveal about them. But the three apostles walked with Christ to the
mountain and had their strength and faith renewed.
Are you still weak? The Lord
calls: Come on, let us go. Accept the invitation. Walk in faith not by sight.
Separate yourself from the world. Stay away from sin. Go inward. Single
yourself out and be closer to none but Christ. Let your song be: "Nearer
to Thee my Lord nearer to Thee". When you draw near to Him, you will hear
His will and know His plan for you. You will not regret drawing close.
MANIFEST THE LORD'S GLORY
In the presence of the Lord glory
shines. God speaks and we hear His voice encouraging us to continue to listen
to Jesus.
This season we must look into
ourselves and see if there is anything within us that is not giving God glory.
Is there any condition that does not allow God to shine? The Lord wants us to behold His face and see
light in His light. The Lord wants us to go about our daily tasks living as
heavenly candidates.
We pray with to God in this
season with the following words from the lenten hymn: "...What we have
darkened head with light and what we have destroyed make whole"
Therefore, child of God arise and
shine out in virtues. Shine in holiness. Shine in prayers. Shine in almsgiving,
shine in mortification, shine in bringing consolation to the afflicted. Shine
in wiping tears from the faces of people. Shine in keeping the commandments of
God. Shine in saying no to worldliness. Shine in speaking the truth. Shine in
emulating Christ.
He calls us up to Himself on a high mountain. Let us not operate below
the divine expectations. Let's not go down into sin and depravity. Let's not go
down back to our old bad ways. Let's fly on in virtues. Let's be like the
eagle. Let's keep going high in hope for the glory that the resurrection ushers
us into. Let us move on in the forty days’ journey already begun. May God open
our ears to hear and maintain our glistening nature in Him.
LET US PRAY
Oh God, we thank You for calling
us to Yourself to hear Your word. We thank You for counting us worthy to share
in Your holiness. Destroy everything in
us closing our ears from paying attention to the things of the Spirit. May Your
glory continue to shine in us and may we like Peter long to remain close to
Your side savouring the power of transfiguration in here and in heaven for ever
and ever. Amen
Happy Sunday (2nd Sunday of Lent)
Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh
Image from: Homilies – Page 6 – St. John the Evangelist Catholic Parish (saintjohnjackson.org)
No comments:
Post a Comment