We all need to know that Jesus is the chosen one of God.

 

In today’s Gospel, Jesus puts His disciples, and us, on the spot when He asks, “But who do you say that I am?” They, as we, when asked, might try to give a safe answer! But Jesus is asking!

‘You are the Messiah,‘ Simon Peter answered, ‘the Son of the living God!‘ Peter’s response was right, sincere, and a grace from God. However, Peter did not correctly understand what he had professed. Not long afterwards, Jesus even “turned on Peter and said, ‘Get out of my sight, you satan! You are trying to make Me trip and fall. You are not judging by God’s standards but by man’s’ “.

We all need to know that Jesus is the chosen one of God, and that He died for us to give us eternal life. If we can admit that to Him and to all around us that we must be ready to do the same, we cannot be spectators! Jesus wants us to know Him and for others to see Him when they see us.

To do that, Jesus must not only be in our hearts but He must also be the purpose of our lives and actions! Thinking and acting cannot be disconnected when it comes to the path of eternal life.

The Psalm reminds us “If today you hear his voice, harden not your heart.” I always love praying and singing this wise statement. The trying times of our life, while extremely painful to endure, are wonderful opportunities to open ourselves to God’s love.
As I contemplated the first reading, I could feel the sense of confusion and exhaustion in Moses and Aaron. We have all been driven to our knees in one sense or another. How can I remember in times of despair to give it all over to God trusting in his love and sanctity? I will be listening more carefully in the times when I feel overwhelmed and hopeless. When I hear God’s voice, I will not harden my heart.

When we pray, we too can “ignite” supernatural communication with God.

We may be so familiar with today’s Gospel account of the transfiguration of Jesus that we miss something. Can you guess what?

Take a minute now, and read this part again:

“Jesus took Peter, John, and James
and went up a mountain to pray.
While He was praying His face changed in appearance
and His clothing became dazzling white.”

We can well imagine the dazzling white garment. We can picture Jesus’ face transfigured so brilliantly that only a divine power could transform it. But Jesus didn’t go up the mountain to put on a show. Jesus “went up a mountain to pray.” And furthermore, this fantastic transformation occurred “While he was praying.” Prayer, then, was the matrix for the Transfiguration. Prayer was the “takeoff” point of this supernatural event.

Every time Jesus prayed, something “ignited.” Not always so dramatically, but always His communication with His Father was powerful, like touching a lit match to gasoline.

When we pray, we too can “ignite” supernatural communication with God. It needn’t be dramatic. It may not even be verbal, or visible. It can be as quiet as a thought, as unnoticeable as the blink of an eye. But does God see us? Yes! Does God hear us? Definitely! Does God understand our hearts, as well as our words? Absolutely! And is it worth it? Totally!

Lord, help me to pray, right now, even if only for a moment. Lord, You have taught us how to pray in so many ways, with the help of the Holy Spirit, with the words of the “Our Father,” with our hearts and our hands, just to name a few.

We may not “go up a mountain” to pray. We may not have our clothing turn dazzling white. We may not even have our facial expressions change. But prayer always, always changes things.

Prayer changes us. It changes our hearts. It can change our circumstances, or the way we look at things. It can even change You, O Lord, so that You will turn to us and listen, and perhaps You will grant us what we desire.

Thank You, O Lord, for Your example of prayer.
Help me to pray to You often,
even if just for a moment.
Amen.