God is Near

On September 04, 2016 last year, Pope Francis declared Mother Teresa of Calcutta a Saint in St. Peter’s Basilica. During her lifetime, she was an icon of charity and compassion for millions. She was admired by her lifelong service to the poorest of the poor. Always on the public spotlight, she was called a “living saint.”

In 2003, a book was published “Come, be my Light.” It contains the private correspondences of Mother Teresa. Moreover, it revealed her “crisis of faith.” In one instance she wrote: “where is my faith? Even deep down there is nothing but emptiness and darkness.” Even saints experience dark nights.

Our life of faith is not always smooth sailing. We also suffer from dark nights, crisis and uncertainty.

In today’s Gospel (Mt 4:22-33) we read the episode of Jesus walking on the water. After the image of His Transfiguration, we have another powerful vision of faith. Jesus is above the storm!

Let us consider three reflections:

First, storms are part of our life. They are unavoidable. In a comic strip of “Peanuts,” Charlie Brown asks for a psychiatric help from Lucy. “You have hypengyophobia or fear of responsibility.” “No,” Charlie denies. “Maybe you have climacophobia or fear of staircases.” “No,” he again negates. “Or maybe you have ailurophobia or fear of cats.” “No,” Charlie opposes. “Then you have pantophobia or fear of everything!” “Yes!” Charlie affirms. All of us has pantophobia.. fear of everything in life. Deep down we are very insecure. This creates storms and problems in our life. Some real, others self-made.

Second, we need to pray. We need to trust a power greater than ourselves. Even Jesus prayed. After feeding the people, he had to flee to the mountain because they wanted to make him a king. Jesus had to renew the purity of his heart and his total commitment to His Father. People missed the point of His mission; he did not want to deviate from His Father’s Plan. Through prayer we maintain our focus in order to avoid the temptation to power and popularity.

Third, we need to experience the presence of Jesus. Today’s First Reading (1 Kings 19:9,11-13), narrates the prophet Elija’s experience with God. He was made to stand outside the cave he was staying. After the wind, the earthquake and fire, he felt God’s comforting presence through a gentle breeze. Instead, Peter experienced the presence of Jesus through His soothing words: “Courage. It is I! Do not be afraid”

Jesus is not a ghost. He is a God who is close to us; ready to stand by us in times of uncertainty and fear. His powerful presence is the source of our strength and security.

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.