CONTEMPLATING JESUS IN PRAYER - 8/6/22 (Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord)

Lk 9:28b-31

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. And behold, two men were conversing with Him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of His exodus that He was going to accomplish in Jerusalem.

For the full readings, click here: 

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/080622.cfm

Blessed Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord! The face and clothing of our Lord Jesus Christ were changed to dazzling white as He was praying. The three disciples were given a blessing to see the fullness of God's glory in the holy mountain. It's true that we can behold the fullness of God's presence, holiness and glory in heaven. At the same time, Jesus manifested His glory on the mountain for us to know that we can see His presence even while we are in this world, and we can only do this through our prayers. Just as how the appearance of Jesus was changed through prayer, our prayers should lead our transformation by contemplating Jesus. There are at least two ways in which our prayers can help us to see the presence of God in our lives. 

First, we should persevere in reflecting on the Bible, especially on the gospel. Moses and Elijah represented the Law and the Prophets of the Old Testament. Meanwhile, the disciples heard the voice of the Father in heaven who told them to listen to Jesus, His Only Begotten Son. Our Lord is telling us to listen to Him by praying with the Bible. It is through our reflection on God's word and application of it in our daily lives that we can listen to our God who speaks in our hearts. There are times that we don't feel that much of God's presence, but we should consider that maybe, it's because we don't spend more time in His Word. Sometimes, we may dedicate our time and hours on social media, binge-watching of shows, and many more. But, they may simply be distractions in our spiritual journey. God is concerned to us because of His love for us that He desires for us to listen to Him so that we can overcome our sufferings, problems and sins. 

Second, we can contemplate Jesus by praying the rosary and by meditating on the mysteries of the rosary. The mountain is a symbolism of holiness. And, the Blessed Virgin Mary, our Mother, is the surest, quickest, and easiest way to Christ in our pursuit of holiness. The appearance of Elijah and Moses shows us that the saints are truly alive in heaven. As such, we have confidence and assurance that our Mother is praying for us out of her maternal care, and by praying the rosary, we become more open to God's graces to persevere in virtues. Also, by imagining in our minds the mysteries of the rosary, including the Transfiguration of the Lord, our hearts will desire more to be like Christ and to desire to see God in heaven. Like the saints, if we persevere in our prayers, God will use us as His instruments so that more people will see His presence through us. By listening to Christ and contemplating Him, our faith will be strengthened, and we will be heirs to eternal life. 

Amen +

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, be with us always until the hour of our death. Amen. +

 

May the Lord + bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. Amen. +  

Reflection by: Dominic

For more information on the Transfiguration of the Lord, click here:

https://mycatholic.life/saints/saints-of-the-liturgical-year/august-6---transfiguration-of-the-lord/

For the summary of the teachings of the Catholic Church, click here:

https://www.catholic.com/tract/pillar-of-fire-pillar-of-truth

For the examination of conscience and guide to confession, click here:

https://mycatholic.life/catholic-prayers/examination-of-conscience/

For more information on how to pray the rosary, click here:

https://mycatholic.life/catholic-prayers/the-most-holy-rosary/