November 14, 2011

Reflection (The readings are below, for your reference)

We carry Jesus in our hearts and sometimes his image gets a little weary looking. Maybe our Jesus has become like a greeting-card message, “Have a nice day!” Or perhaps it seems to us like the message of Jesus has become irrelevant. Today’s gospel reading offers a few suggestions for us. One might be to connect with friends who are spiritual companions; another might be to find a way to go to a prayer place. Most important is to pay special attention to what God is saying. Chances are, God is not saying that we should focus our attention on spending time or money on material possessions (like dwellings), no matter how worthy that might seem at the time. Chances are, God is telling us to listen. Chances are God is telling us not to be afraid. For sure, God is with us in the dark scary places.

Gracious God, open my eyes that I might see how you would transform the way I see you, now and forever.

Namaste

The Readings

Matthew 17:1-17

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."  And the disciples asked him, "Why, then, do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?"  He replied, "Elijah is indeed coming and will restore all things;  but I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but they did to him whatever they pleased. So also the Son of Man is about to suffer at their hands."  Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them about John the Baptist.