Transfigured in Christ - March 7, 2004

The extraordinary episode of Our Lord's transfiguration must have left an indelible mark on the Apostles for the rest of their lives. In fact, we find it narrated by all three Synoptics: Matthew, Mark and Luke.

And so, in fact, it was: a unique occasion for Jesus to give his disciples a foretaste of his divinity, which for three whole years had remained hidden behind his humanity while remaining operative all the time, especially through the many miracles he made throughout the three years of his public life.

In the account we have before us today we see Christ's divinity shining, as it were, through his humanity. It was meant to be a 'proof' of his own divinity, if any such proof was needed, given to just three of his disciples.

Such a proof was in fact still needed for the benefit of all of them, who had always remained amazed by his teachings and miracles, but never altogether free from doubt all the way up to his Resurrection.

As Christians, and no less than the Apostles, we all need to be 'transfigured' by the presence of Jesus Christ within us and around us. We too are called to allow this transfiguration to take place in us as Christians and to radiate the 'real' presence of God within us.

It should always shine forth all around us for the benefit of all, especially of those who may be Christians only by name or show no sign of their faith in God and in his presence within human society.

There are many ways in which we can and should radiate Christ. God's fundamental message revealed to us by God in Jesus Christ is the so-called 'Good News', the news that was to be a source of great joy to all.

Somebody has written that "a sad Christian is a contradiction in terms". So should it be, at any rate. To what extent do I normally allow my joy of salvation to reach others with whom I live or work?

One of the basic teachings of Jesus is love of neighbour. These words of Jesus are reported in St John's Gospel: "From this will people know that you are my disciples, if you love one another as I have loved you!" We read and hear that there is so much hatred in the world, as there has always been, even in the time before Christ came to us.

What am I doing to alleviate somehow the present wave of hatred existing between peoples and individuals, and leading to so many conflicts even in our own time? "Where there is hatred, let me sow love!"

If at least we Christians tried more seriously to put into practice this prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi, this world would be a better place to live in.

If anybody is ever expected to be correct and just in his dealings with his neighbour, it is I as Christian, as follower of Christ. Moral rectitude and honesty, as we all know, have unfortunately become rather rare commodities today, often enough even among Christians.

Where is our love for truth and justice when an opportunity comes our way to enjoy forbidden pleasures or to engross unjustly our money deposits?

Last but not least, how is my attitude to suffering, not only where I myself am concerned, but also and especially were others are concerned? Am I offering deaf ears to the cries of those who seriously need my help, financial or otherwise, near me or far away?

We know what we are expected to do whenever we remember the words uttered by the Father to the three Apostles: "This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased: listen to Him!"