Fall silent
and behold the glory
Week 2
Opening Prayer
+ Nourish me inwardly by your word, that I may rejoice to behold your glory. I fall silent in your presence now.
Scripture
Jesus took Peter, John, and James and went up the mountain to pray. While he was praying his face changed in appearance and his clothing became dazzling white….
Peter and his companions had been overcome by sleep, but becoming fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him…. Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good that we are here; let us make three tents, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
But he did not know what he was saying. While he was still speaking, a cloud came and cast a shadow over them, and they became frightened when they entered the cloud. Then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my chosen Son; listen to him.” After the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. The disciples fell silent and did not at that time tell anyone what they had seen. (cf. Luke 9.28b-36)
Meditation
The Transfiguration reminds us of the Glory of God. The theme is fall silent. This means to not only listen to, adore, worship the Lord but to remind myself to remain silent. It is not always necessary to give advice or use words when sometimes just my presence with the person is the best comfort and support. I also need to sit in silence with God. To listen quietly and let Him come to me. To feel Him, to adore Him, to hear Him.
We feel the Transfiguration as we know God is with us for every peace and joy we experience, every trial and tribulation. God puts people in our lives when we need them. Sometimes the person He sends us is someone we would not expect to be an instrument of God. Someone we don’t think of as very “God-like.” I am then reminded that God is in ALL people and works through everyone.
I have had experiences when I could feel God in a situation. This one is just a little thing but an example of how God works even in the little things. I cut my finger a few days ago. It wouldn’t stop bleeding. My daughter, who rarely calls me, happened to call right then. She told me I needed a tourniquet, which I hadn’t thought of. I got a rubber band and was able to stop the bleeding. It was God’s work that she called me right at that time so she could help me.
Years ago, my other daughter was very ill after coming home from the hospital. She had lung problems. Every night I visualized what I see as the Transfiguration. I visualized Jesus in dazzling white clothes pouring a white healing light into her lungs and her body. She got better and recovered. I know Jesus did it.
The transfiguration is life giving and life changing. It gives us hope and shows us what is to come for us, what God promises us. It calls us to open our hearts to Him and to others. And it encourages us to understand that we, too, can transform our selves if we follow that light of Jesus. We may not dazzle, our face may not change, but we can learn from this to become a better person.
- Cheryl Hannah, Queen of Peace
Reflection
1) Do I have trouble believing that I am beloved in God’s eyes, in spite of my weaknesses and sinfulness?
2) What are the secrets which I imagine God cannot love in me?
3) How open am I to hearing God in mysterious and miraculous ways?
4) Is my heart ready to recognize God's presence, even in unexpected people, places, or events?
5) When have I quietly listened to God?
