Photo by mostafa meraji on Unsplash
Day Seven. Sunday, February 23, 2020
I will see the glory of God.
Silence. Find a quiet place in your house, at work or school, or best, in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament. Breathe slowly. Relax. Imagine that your cares and concerns are being placed in a box where they will not be forgotten, where you and God can together seek to solve them at the right time. God’s time. At the beginning, it may be helpful to set a timer. Three minutes of silence is probably a minimum. It could seem long at first, but hopefully becomes more peaceful as you get used to the silence. This time of silence and focus on breathing is like stretching before exercise.
Ask God to come into your heart. Ask Jesus to come into your heart. Seeking Jesus is at the heart of all prayer, even if we do not always realize it.
Today’s Scripture. Matthew 17:1-8. After six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, conversing with him. Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud cast a shadow over them, then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” When the disciples heard this, they fell prostrate and were very much afraid. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and do not be afraid.” And when the disciples raised their eyes, they saw no one else but Jesus alone.
Today’s Reflection. There are times when it is important for us to remember the goal. What is the purpose of our life? Aristotle suggested that determining what something is for was and important way to explain something. Saint Thomas Aquinas applied this idea to humans, suggesting that we were made for living in beatitude with God ultimately in the Beatific Vision.
For those of us who many not yet have a strong relationship with Jesus, like me, we need reminders of the glory of God, which God can give to us. Sometimes they are referred to as “mountaintop moments”, since in the Bible the mountain is the symbol of God’s presence. Moses received the commandments on a mountain, and the story of the Transfiguration we just read happens on a mountain.
These moments are both exhilarating and frightening. When we have powerful reminders of just how much God loves us, we can feel a sense of fulfillment. At the same time, when we find ourselves in the presence of the ultimate other, God, we can come face to face with just how small we are.
But when Peter, James and John become quite frightened, what brings them back from their fear? Jesus. When our focus is on Jesus, we find ourselves able to overcome fear, to realize we are loved and cared for, and to know that we are destined for this amazing eternal relationship with God.
Our Father. Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed by the name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day, our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. Amen.
Hail Mary. Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Glory Be. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Today’s Challenge. Think and reflect on how you might focus more on Jesus and less on the things that distract us from doing right and good.
Intentions. Lord, open the eyes of those who cannot see Jesus so they might come to know the love and care of God and how to share that with others.
Closing Prayer. Lord Jesus, we are always in your presence. Help us to remember this. Help us to realize that when we see our lives focused on you, we see opportunities to grow in holiness. When we focus our lives on you, Jesus, we see ways to build each other up, to meet their needs, to introduce them to you. Help us to know what it is we need to do to be closer to you, to see you more clearly, and to know from you the great goal you have in store for us in eternal life. Jesus, we pray in your name. Amen.
Brothers Unite by Alexander Nakarada
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/4864-brothers-unite/
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
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