"Remember, I am with you always to the end of the age" (Mt 28:20)

“Some things have to be believed to be seen” Ralph Hodgson


Transfiguration by Sieger Köder

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f Lectio Divina is listening with heart's ears Visio Divina, on the other hand, is seeing with heart's eyes. To be able to truly contemplate today's feast of the Transfiguration we must beg for the grace of seeing with heart's eyes, which is no other than the eyes of love. As the poet Ralph Hodgson said, “Some things have to be believed to be seen.”

There were three apostles who were privileged to witness the Transfiguration—[Greek] μεταμορφόω (metamorphoō), [Latin] transfigure. Let us not think though that they are the only ones exceptional among The Twelve. Jesus referred to the pair James and John as "Boanerges" (translated "sons of thunder"). There is a gospel story that relates how the brothers wanted to call down heavenly fire on an inhospitable Samaritan town, but Jesus rebuked them. Besides James and John, there is Peter, who among all the twelve apostles, was often rebuked by Jesus and to the point of even calling him Satan or stumbling-block. The command "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling-block—σκάνδαλον (Greek: skándalon) to me, for you are not setting your..." spoken to Peter by Jesus, is recorded in Matthew 16:23 and Mark 8:33. Let us just say Jesus chose the people who are often typecast as erring or are capable of making an error which we all are. Everyone is error-prone or fallible to some degree. Jesus teaches us that it is to these people [that includes me] that we must bring the Gospel message to. This is often the appeal made by Pope Francis because when the erring and fallible people find their way back, they often become the most powerful messengers for propagating the faith not only to future generations but also new frontiers.

I recommend that we contemplate both today's Gospel Mark 9:2-10 side by side with a masterpiece entitled Transfiguration by Sieger Köder. Let us use Ignatian technique "Composition of the place" which is akin to Visio Divina. For your further guide go to a previous post which I used to culminate a 14-day online retreat on 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. Fr JM Manzano SJ

Comments

  1. Faith sees the Beloved.
    Darkness, Downfall, Dryness
    or Desolation can not stop me.
    I remain with you
    Because I love you.
    I see you...
    I believe in you.

    An inspiration from the words of Ralph Hodgson you have shared, Fr. JM. Thank you!

    The experience of the three apostles gives hope to an erring person like me. Imperfect but loved much by Perfect love, Christ.

    This also reminds me of one question, "Alin ang pipiliin? Mahal ka o Ikaw ang nagmamahal? " Choose Christ and to love like Him! GBU!

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    1. "I see you" reminds me of my favorite epic film Avatar. I can imagine God telling this line together with "I believe in you... because I love you." God the source of faith sees us with an unending love which nothing in this world is strong enough to stop... As regards your last question, talking from my experience it is always the two together because love is always a relationship. At times it may seem unrequited. And when I feel that my love is unrequited I remember the love who already loved first. GBU!

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    2. Thank you for your wonderful sharing which made me reflect and dig deep too like you about true love!

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    3. : ) Actually you have encouraged me first to reflect deeper and listen well to the whisper of the Spirit. For a time, I don't want to think, I just want to do things... but thanks to you, I was struck when I first heard you share your homilee. Now more meaningful to live and love as going deeper... leading to extending wider and giving more.... finding treasures to share. You are a blessing, Fr. JM : )

      May hirit pa po ako, Fr. : ) I admired unrequited lovers who keep on loving till the end or without end, especially those I see in movies...I can relate with them and understand... Kahit di mahal, basta nakakusap mo o napapasmile o napapasaya mo sila o nakita mo lang syang masaya, joy and consolation na yun... Kaya patuloy lang...Malay mo sa huli, matatagpuan rin... Salamat sa pinaghuhugutan ng ating pagmamahal, ang unang nagmahal sa atin... Salamat uli, Fr. JM!





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    4. BTW since you love movies too like me. I think you might like the "Mulan: Rise of a Warrior" version in 2009 that ended with a twist. Enjoy! GBU!

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    5. I have watched it, Fr. JM... One of my favorites! And I love the ending! : ) Thank you! GBU!

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