HOMILY FOR THE FEAST OF TRANSFIGURATION OF OUR LORD.
THEME: LISTEN TO HIM.
BY: Fr. Karabari Paul.
‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.’
There are waves of change across the world today. And the story of the Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-9) is about preparing and helping the disciples live through the coming change. This transfiguration story has something to teach and show us about how to live in the midst of change. Change, whether on the mountain top of life or in the valley of the shadow of death is a reality for all of us.
One of the things that happen in the midst of change is that many voices begin to speak. Some are outside of us and some are from within. There are voices of judgment, voices of second guessing, voices of fear. There are voices of self-doubt, and self-criticism. Some voices tell us to run and hide, and others tell us to fight and resist or to give up. Some voices ask questions and want explanations. Other voices deny what is happening, blame, or declare it to be the end of the world.
So many voices cry out for attention. Not every voice, however, is helpful or worth listening to. Some voices may sound sweet but they are not good for us. The story of the transfiguration says there is only one voice to listen to. The voice of God speaks from the bright cloud overshadowing Peter, James, and, John, “This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him.”
What if in the midst of change we sought to hear and listen to that one voice, the voice of Christ? What if we kept our ears open to what he is saying in our life and world today? To let ourselves become aware of and attentive to what he is saying and doing, to let his concerns and desires become our concerns and desires, to let his way of engaging life and the world become our way of engaging life and the world.
It would mean that whatever change comes upon us it does not have the final word. There is another voice. Jesus is always speaking a word larger and more powerful than all the other voices. In the midst of change, Jesus speaks a word of life, a word of hope, a word of forgiveness, a word of mercy, a word of beauty, a word of generosity, a word of courage, a word of love, a word of healing. Jesus speaks a word to and for you and me. Are we listening to that word, to his voice?
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Change can cause us to stumble and fall, paralyze us, or left us overwhelmed. It is about stepping into new life when we are not sure what that looks like or if there really is a new life awaiting us.
The three disciples, Matthew tells us, “fell to the ground and were overcome by fear.” Jesus touches them and says, “Get up.” But it is more than just “get up.” A more literal translation would be something like “be raised up,” “be aroused from the sleep of death,” or maybe even “be resurrected.” The word Matthew uses here is the same verb he uses when Jesus heals the paralytic, telling him, “Stand up” (Mt. 9:6-7); Jesus takes the hand of dead daughter of the synagogue leader, “and the girl got up” (Mt. 9:25); Jesus instructs the twelve, “Raise the dead” (Mt. 10:8); Jesus foretells his own resurrection (Mt. 16:21); and the angel tells the women who come to Jesus’ tomb, “He is not here for he has been raised, as he said” (Mt. 28:6).
Jesus comes to us in whatever circumstances of change we find ourselves, touches us, and says, “Get up, be raised” It’s the promise that though life has changed, it has not ended. Somehow new life is hidden in the midst of change, even when we cannot see it or do not believe it. God uses the changing circumstances of our lives and world to bring us into new life.
If the Father is asking us to listen to the Son, it is because the Son would always speak to us. So how do we listen?
The Scriptures are filled with prayers, songs, stories, and miracles that demonstrate God’s power and show his desire to communicate with his people. But, in order to hear what God is saying to us, we have to learn to listen. If you take all the letters in the word “LISTEN,” you also have all the letters for the word “SILENT.” Silence is key to hearing God. If you want the spirit of God to fill you, be still. Psalm 46:10 says “Be still, and know that I am God.”
So to listen to God, we must:
1. First, we must be intentional in our focus, which means that our time and calendar must reflect our heart’s desire. This means setting a regular time each day to get alone with God. This can be at home, on a walk, in your car, in the morning or evening, or whatever works best for you. A good tip is to find ways to eliminate the distractions. What distractions do we have? Distractions block God’s channels of communication.
2. Second, we must listen with an open heart and attitude. This means being open and receptive to God’s guidance and instruction, and being willing to obey. We must bring an attitude of surrender rather than selfishness.
3. Third, we must trust that God has a message that is personal for our provision, protection and purpose. This means trusting God during both difficult times as well as joyous or rewarding times. We must realize that God loves us and is the only one who can sustain us, and will provide for our every need. Putting our trust in him demonstrates a listening and willing heart and ultimately reflects our love for him.
When we listen and obey, we discover that life is full of promise and purpose and we become more confident in God’s plan for our lives. See how Saint Peter concludes the Second Reading, “You will do well to pay attention to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.” (2Peter 1:16-19). GOD IS STILL ON THE THRONE. May God have mercy on us, heal our world, bless and protect us all through Christ Our Lord Amen. Happy Celebration.
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