__ Click Here for Audio of Homily ____
And, at the moment
the celebration started, as my mother – the guest of honor – walked through the
door – she really had no idea that she was going to her own birthday party.
So, the surprise
caught her “off guard” but in a good way and this enabled everyone to share the
moment.
[_00-b__] Such a birthday party is one example of a
[pause] or [retreat] we might make from everyday life – in order to celebrate,
rejoice, withdraw and be with our most intimate and long-standing friends [that Jesus
is not just withdrawing to the mountain to be with his BFF / pals , but to give
himself away to the whole world]
[_00-c__] While I think back nostalgically to our
surprise birthday party and to everyone who was there, it is still only 1
moment in time, in a longer lifespan.
It is good to
recall things that have taken place in the past, to remember where we have come
from, so as to give thanks, give gratitude to God for the gift of our lives.
Even, I daresay to give thanks for the gift of struggles we have endured – or are maybe enduring right now.
[_00-d__] St. Augustine, who lived around the year 400 and at the time of the decline of the Roman Empire, was witnessing in his own day a decline in religious observance and a discussion about where God is for people who seem to ignore Him.
It might be a
discussion you have considered having.
One of the reasons
that we might turn away from – or feel indifferent towards – God or faith in
religion is not that we are only attached to material things.
Yes, materialism
can be an obstacle.
But, even if you
are materially wealthy or comfortable, do you not also find a place for God?
C.S. Lewis said
this about our view of God, that we sometimes view God the way that an Air
Force pilots regard their parachutes. That is, they go to great altitudes with
their parachutes, but regard them as only for emergencies and hope they never
have to use them. (C.S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain, p. 94)
St. Augustine
reminded us that pain, discomfort, inconvenience can sometimes be an
opportunity to rebuild or to take inventory. Augustine warned us not to live
our lives only for material things. This is not simply because material things
are fragile and fade. But they also can leave us stuck in the past and unable
to live in the present. Augustine wrote, “God wants to give us something, but
cannot because our hands are full. There’s nowhere for him to put it.” (C.S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain, p. 94)
[_01__] Recently, the TV sports cable channel – ESPN
– held what is called their annual ESPY awards. This year, there was an unusual
recipient and honoree. That is, the award did not go to specific player or team
or coach but was given to the “sideline / locker room” trainers, physical
conditioning and training staff of the NFL football Buffalo Bills.
Last season, these
trainers and physical conditioners jumped into action when a player named Damar
Hamlin fell to the ground and suffered cardiac arrest. Due to the swift action
of his trainers, he was revived and stabilized and sent to the hospital where he
later made a full recovery.
It was an example –
in national news – one person’s life was worth more than their successes,
MVP’s, endorsements. What was also
unprecedented was that after the injury, the game was not resumed, but was
simply cancelled and was never re-played.
Sometimes, it takes
such an interruption to gain our attention
(By the way, a
similar thing could be said about the son of LeBron James. Both LeBron and his
son “Bronny” are basketball players. Bronny recently collapsed at a practice.
You and I – no matter how physically fit we are – are not guaranteed a life
span longer than the current moment).
[_02__] And, this is the message to Peter, especially, who is on the mountain of the Transfiguration [TSFG] with Jesus.
This event, TSFG,
takes place about halfway (??? Chronology??) through Jesus’ ministry.
One chapter
earlier, a few days earlier, Jesus had asked his disciples, “who do people say
that I am?” and “who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16:__)
Peter, as “star
student” among all the disciples, responds with “You are the Chirst the Son of
the Living God” (Matthew 16:__)
And, Peter wants to
stop right there. But, Jesus does not stop right there, but continues telling
Peter that he must suffer and die.
Peter cannot accept
this yet.
Even on the
mountain of the TSFG, is there not a sign of Peter’s stubborn refusal?
That is, when Peter
wakes up from his little nap, Peter sees Jesus’ glorified in dazzling white and
immediately thinks that this is Jesus’ final and ultimate triumph.
Therefore, Peter wants to build
the tents – as monuments for this Hall-of-Fame guest list – Jesus, Moses,
Elijah.
But, the TSFG is not an
awards show or trophy presentation like the Oscars or Wimbledon tennis.
The TSFG is not even
supposed to be “televised” / “livestreamed” / or “publicized” right now.
Jesus urges secrecy about
this moment of glory because Jesus does not want the TSFG to call premature
attention to himself. Jesus has more
work to do with the disciples before he will be arrested and complete his
Passion, Death and Resurrection.
Sometimes, at such
moments, we want to stop or “give up”, but Jesus is urging us – with his
example and encouragement – to trust in his word and recall that the best is
yet to come.
[_04__] As I recall my
mother’s – or “Grandma’s birthday party” because several of her grandchildren
were there, I call what one grandchild said, having thoroughly enjoyed herself
and settling herself in the car afterwards, this grandchild said: “This is the best day of my entire life.”
It was nice that
“Grandma” heard this.
[_05__] And, that’s how
Peter feels – emotionally, spiritually – for a while seeing the dazzling white
of Jesus in his glory.
Does it get any
better than this?
Peter does not
think so, right now.
But the message to
Peter and all of us is not focus on moments in the past, or on monuments
(tents) we did not build or should have built, but to remember that Jesus has a
method (plan) for our lives.
[echo here that Jesus is not
just withdrawing to the mountain to be with his buds/peeps, but to give himself
away to the whole world, to die for you.]
We may not always
comprehend his plan, but we are called by God the Father’s voice:
“This is my beloved Son,
listen to Him.”
It will be the best day of our lives when we do this! [_END__]
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