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Transfiguration of the Lord, Cycle A, August 6, 2023
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That’s quite a secret for Peter, James & John to keep to themselves until after Jesus is raised from the dead, after seeing what they saw, and hearing what they heard. Even today though, a couple thousand years removed from this transfiguring event, with some of the Godly things we personally see and hear…. Do we keep such profound things quiet for a lengthy period of time,as these 3 Apostles were commanded to? Or, do we speak of the incredible things of God from the top of the mountain of our lives?
I love humble Catholics, but I get a little unnerved, if you will, of submissive and quiet Catholics who fear the reaction of others who propose that we should live in a dominant secular society. They didn’t make this world. God made this world. They won’t finish this world. God will finish this world.
You have permission to speak the truth of our faith in his Son, without having to hold it in like Peter, James, & John. Which is the message on the mountain heard in the words, “Listen to him.” Listen to him who said, “Go out an preach the Good News.” His is the primary Voice to be heard, and not the many noisy speakers and babblers who operate through fear and harsh judgment. For on the mountain is also spoken, “Rise, and do not be afraid.”
Why? Well, as the Prophet Daniel wrote so nicely today, “The court was convened, and the books were opened.”
Indeed, the court of virtues has been opened in the resurrection of Jesus. And it won’t be closing until he returns, despite countless worldly attempts to close the Good Book. Guess who the security guards happen to be at this court that never closes? Yes, those of us who are baptized.
So, we go and preach the Good News through the living of virtues, trusting that the words of God our Father, “Listen to him,” are lived through our good hearts, producing good fruit in word and deed, and do so in a world that looks like a cracked eggshell.
Peter, James, & John on the mountain that lovely day saw the court being convened. And it wasn’t the Worcester Superior Court. The judges in the mountain court included Jesus, Moses, and Elijah. Jesus, the Just Judge of every human soul who has lived and ever will live, even if they do not know him or believe in him.
Moses, the secondary judge who handed us the commandments etched on stone by the finger of God, stone which never breaks or changes color, meaning, the commandments of God are unchangeable. As is all of God’s truth.
Please keep this in mind that as a Synod in Rome begins to unfold in October. That God’s commandments, pure truth, for God does not deceive or lie to us, cannot be altered, especially in the theological discipline of morality.
And then there’s Elijah, the just judge, also a prominent secondary judge, whom God has chosen to represent the Prophets.
The convening of this court on the mountain in the presence of Peter, James & John, is in favor of a certain case, while standing against another case. This court on the mountain of transfiguration stands against the condemnation of the world God has created for our good benefit. Most notably, the good benefit of loving and humbly walking with our God. And with our neighbor.
All the holiness represented on the mountain are the powers who stand against the accuser, the devil, who seeks to accuse all of us of wrongdoing before God. If you haven’t noticed, he’s good at it.
But this group does not gather for our condemnation. Their goal and purpose is to prevent our being condemned, and secure our eternal joy. Which is what this court favors. But God knows we have the freedom to choose either one; condemnation, or salvation. The choice really is ours.
The decision this court has made through our Father in heaven is, “Listen to him.” For a Christian to not listen to Christ, of which there seems to be so much of today, is a felony. It’s a spiritual felony. Listen to Jesus of Nazareth. The same Jesus who says to us in the most positive light, “The Son of Man has come into the world not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.”
This is our court, which convenes every day. Not a court that looks to beat us up, and strip us of all that is good. This is a court of virtues; a court of just and merciful judgment for those who seek it.
The transfiguration of our Lord is an event of hope. We tend to seek justice and fairness in this world as followers of Christ. Instead, in this earthly court, if you will, we get cancel culture, a pure evil, wrought by evil hearts in need of transfiguration. Christians do not participate in ruining another person’s life because we disagree with them.
Our Christian court that has been convened is all good. All truth. All fairness. All powerful. All loving. Meant to be always forgiving. And all in our favor. What we’re asked to do, from the top voice on the mountain, is “Listen to Jesus.” To rise, and be not afraid. And not keep our listening to him a secret.