Tuesday, March 3, 2015

Transformed into Glory

     Saint Matthew’s Gospel (Mt. 16 vs. 21-22 & 17 vs. 1-9), brings out the close connection between the Transfiguration and the Passion of Jesus. The Divine Master wished to teach His disciples in this way that it was impossible -- for Him as well as for them – to reach the glory of the Transfiguration without passing through suffering. It was the same lesson that He would give later to the two disciples at Emmaus: “Ought not Christ to have suffer these things and so to enter into His glory?” (Lk. 24 vs. 26). What has been disfigured by sin cannot regain its original supernatural beauty except by way of purifying suffering. Fr. Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalen, O.C.D.



     When sin entered the world, life as we would have known it was changed forever! Sin brought death, and with it, hardship and pain. Suffering was something that would now be a part of man’s life, and although man had walked away from God, God would not abandon man. He promised to send a Savior to restore to us what had been lost.

     This would not come about except through a tremendous gift and sacrifice from the Father.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him might not perish but might have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him” (Jn. 3 vs 16-17). “Son though He was, He learned obedience from what He suffered; and when He was made perfect, He became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey Him (Heb. 5 vs 8-9).

     Jesus Christ, the Sinless One, took the blunt of our sins upon Himself, because we were unable to pay to God the great debt caused by sin. Sin has disfigured and wounded man deeply. Our Lord suffered, died and rose for us, in order to merit for us the grace we would need to be united with Him one day in heaven. This cannot happen unless we imitate our Master, and accept and unite our sufferings with His.

     We need not look very far to find numerous sufferings each day in our lives: the burden of juggling our busy schedules, dealing with illness and loss, of our loved ones and ourselves, not enough money, not enough time, too much cold, too much heat, daily annoyances that can drive us crazy, household issues, and of course, that unexpected “punch” that you didn't see coming.

     “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Amen, amen, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies it produces much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will preserve it for eternal life. Whoever serves Me must follow Me, and where I am, there also will my servant be” (Jn. 12 vs. 23-26).

     To share in Christ’s glory, we must share in His suffering as well. When our sufferings come, and they will, we must accept them and then unite them with Jesus’. We do not have the power to restore within ourselves what has been disfigured by sin. We must be purified of the nocuous effect that sin has upon us. By accepting suffering and dying to our own will, as Jesus did, we will bear much fruit.

     Jesus tells us that it is by His suffering that He is glorified and glorifies His Father. We must pray for the grace to say like Jesus, “I am troubled now. Yet what should I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour?’ But it was for this purpose that I came to this hour. Father, glorify Your name” (Jn. 12 vs. 27-28a).

     Recognizing the gift and power of purification, enables us to accept and embrace it. You will see your mind and heart transformed. Suffering will no longer be meaningless but a priceless gift to God. God will give us the strength and grace to follow His Son and pick up our cross, so we too may one day share in His glory.

    When our earthly life has ended and our trials and tribulations are behind us, we will hear from our heavenly Father, “Well done, my good and faithful servant. Come, share your Master’s joy” (Mt. 25 vs.23).
   



















1 comment:

  1. Well said once again Avia Joy...there cannot be an Easter Sunday without a Good Friday!!!!

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