This old story was told to me a few days ago by Fr. Joseph Panabang, SVD, a Filipino missionary who has worked in Ghana, Africa, for 30 years, and is currently on home vacation: A daring photographer entered a house to take a picture of a ghost believed to haunt the place. He succeeded in doing so. But when he had the film developed, the photo came out blurred. Why? Because the spirit was willing, but the flash was weak!
In today’s Gospel (Mt. 17, 1-9), we learn about the “flash” of the Transfiguration of Jesus, which was so strong that His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became white as light, leaving such a powerful effect on Peter, James and John. The Lord will manifest Himself to us if only we let Him, if only we make time so we can really know and experience Him.
Often, the problem is that we do not give Him that chance.
Take note how Peter babbled right away that he wanted to build three tents at the mountain of the Transfiguration. Again, that’s the problem with most of us. We react right away, and do things in haste when all that God is asking of us is that we listen to Him. “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him.” Yes, let us listen to God more, listen to Him well, and listen to Him again and again amid everything that is happening in our country, and in the world.
Is the Lord pleased with me and the life I am living? This is the question we all should ask ourselves, especially in this Lenten season. We are so engrossed in pleasing ourselves or pleasing others. Many of us spend our whole lifetime pursuing our personal worldly agenda or seeking worldly approval, even to the point of giving up our principles, values, and our very souls. We have a God to serve, we have a mission to do, and we have a final destination: heaven.
“Rise, and do not be afraid.” How consoling, how assuring, to listen to this message from Jesus. Any one of us who has stumbled, or experienced failure, pain, persecution, and oppression must hold on to the Lord. Fear is useless. What is needed is trust. Remember that the evil one is the master sower of fear. He is also the great accuser. Let us not be intimidated or stifled by fears and accusations. Go back to the constant message of the Psalms: “The Lord is my light and my help; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; before whom shall I shrink?” (Psalm 27, 1)
We believe in transfiguration, not elimination. God gives each one of us a chance to grow, to change, and to become better persons. Please remember that if God were to deal with each of us as we deserve, then none of us would survive.
Sharing with you this beautiful reminder from the prophet Nehemiah: “This day is holy to our Lord. Do not be grieved; Don’t be sad because the joy you have in the Lord is your strength.” Let us not be burdened by trials, disappointments, and fears. Let the “flash” of the Transfiguration help us to be strong, to be hopeful, and to move forward.
In this Lenten season, let us find some quiet time to be closer to the Lord. Have you really experienced Him as a loving Father—gentle, understanding, and forgiving? Pray to the Lord to reveal Himself to you in a more personal way. And be assured: If God touched you once, He will touch you again and again in His own time, according to His will and grace.
Let us also offer prayers and sacrifices this Lent for our loved ones who need healing, transfiguration, and conversion, and even and especially for our enemies, and those who hate and persecute us. Prayers and sacrifices are powerful, and they work.
Think about this: “Let the washing machine remind us that trials in life twist, spin, and knock us around, but in the end, we come out cleaner, brighter, and better than before.”
A moment with the Lord:
Lord, thank You for not giving up on us. Help us not to give up on one another. Amen.