HOMILY FOR THE FEAST OF THE TRANSFIGURATION OF THE LORD
THEME: In the presence of the Lord there is fullness of Joy
BY: Fr. Izumario Emmanuel CMF
HOMILY FOR SATURDAY AUGUST 6 2022
1st Reading: Daniel 7:9-10,13-14
2nd Reading: 2 Peter 1:16-19
Gospel: Luke 9:28-36
“As he prayed, the aspect of his face was changed and his clothing became brilliant as lightning…. As these were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, ‘Master, it is wonderful for us to be here; so let us make three tents, one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.’ The transfiguration experience and miracle happened at the moment of prayer.
After telling them about His suffering and death in Luke 9: 26, some of the Apostles became low in their spirit. The short experience Peter had at the transfiguration was good enough to strengthen his faith. Thus they saw His glory and they believed in him.
The best way to be in worship is to drop your war-ship. Peter climbed the mountain faithless but came down faithful; he went up with doubt but came down with trust; he went up with spiritual timidity but came down with spiritual agility; he went up with reservations in his heart but came down with total surrender to the will of God.
Brethren! Do not allow your war-ship to affect your worship. Each time you appear in the presence of the Lord in the church or other places as your own mountain, drop before Him your troubles, pains, agony, difficulties, worries, anxieties etc. No one encounters the Lord and remains the same.
“In the presence of the Lord there is fullness of Joy…’ (Psalm 16:11). Prayer is the raising up of our minds and hearts to God. The best place to be happy is in the presence of the Lord and that was exactly what Peter showed us.
Whatever that will make you not to enjoy your encounter with Jesus must be the handwork of the devil. When you go for worship, let go and let God and you will enjoy that special moment just like Peter did.
May God help us not to always look like our problems especially when we are in His presence for worship. May each encounter with Him bring transformation in our lives just like Peter experienced, Amen.
God bless you wonderfully.
Forward ever!
Backward never!
Fr. Izumario Emmanuel CMF