Glimpse of Glory

Once, I officiated a couple’s marriage. The bride was very beautiful; the groom, however, was not up to my standard. I though the girl was a bit short changed by the marriage deal.

During the picture-taking, I congratulated them both. When I came upon the bride I told: “your groom is a very lucky man!” But she countered: “I am much luckier. I’m so much blest because he truly loves me!”

Her replied made me think deeper. I had now a different perspective of them; I saw them in a different light. I had a transfiguration experience. Every time we see things differently; when we are able to view things in a new way and in a different perspective, we experience the transfiguration.

The Sunday Gospel narrates about the Transfiguration of Jesus. Let us consider three things as we return to this episode in Jesus’ life:

First, it was a privilege moment: the three disciples, Peter, James, and John were given a rare chance. They had a glimpse of Jesus’ glory. They experienced heaven; they saw the greatness and immensity of God. It was a pre-view of the divinity of Christ. It was an awesome moment. While others rejected Jesus, this experience made them love Jesus more!

Second, it was a peak experience. They saw Jesus in a different light: no longer as an ordinary Rabbi or a skilled carpenter-turned preacher. They discovered that behind his ordinary trappings, he was hiding an extraordinary persona. He was the Son of God! The Father’s voice was an epiphany of Jesus’ extraordinary character.

Third, this episode taught the disciples that there is a price in following Jesus. Fulfilling God’s will is extremely difficult. Jesus had to learn to be obedient. He had to undergo self-denial, learn to suffer and embrace his cross. Modern society puts value on instant rewards. We have now overnight shipping, instant downloads or one-click ordering. If we have a problem, we want a quick fix. We are short in temper and patience. When we want something, we want it now! But Jesus teaches us to be patient, to delay our gratification for a greater good. We cannot attain success overnight. We have to undergo the daily grind, the slowly process of self denial. Jesus inspires us to undergo our own transfiguration experience.

Treasures

As a boy, I used to watch a television game show “The Price is Right.” Contestants are shown items which they try to guess how much they cost. The guess nearest the price wins!

The Sunday Gospel (Mt 13: 44-52) presents two parables comparing the Kingdom of Heaven like a “treasure buried in a field” and a “pearl of great price.” The men who found them guessed rightly that they were really worth keeping so they sold ALL they had to possess them.

In narrating parables, we realize that Jesus is a brilliant teacher. He uses unforgettable parables and insightful stories to teach lessons that sink deep. God teaches us three things from our Readings:

1.    The Kingdom of Heaven is a treasure worth possessing. We ask ourselves: what do I treasure most? Fact is, what your mind and heart is focusing right now, that is your treasure!

In the First Reading (1 Kings 3:5.7-12), Solomon’s concern was how to be a good king. Inheriting a throne from David, his father, he was young and inexperienced. When God appeared to him, he asked for “an understanding heart.” If you have the chance to meet God in person, what will you ask? Let us ask to possess God’s Kingdom.

2.    The Kingdom of Heaven is worth sacrificing. The man who found the treasure sold everything he had without regret in order to buy that field. The merchant, too who found the expensive pearl sold everything he had with joy in order to acquire that unique pearl.

3.    Jesus is the treasure worth discovering; the pearl of great price worth possessing. Matthew, the Apostle, had this experience. When Jesus “called him,” he gave up his job, his position and his wealth. Jesus became his only wealth; his only treasure.

What will you give up to love and follow Jesus? Can you give up your anger, your pride, your lust for Jesus? Can you give up your laziness or your addictions that hinder you to be closer to Him?

Is this too great a price? For Jesus, the “price is just right!”