Scripture Reflection for Saturday, May 17, 2008

Scripture: Saturday, May 17, 2008 (Sixth week in Ordinary Time). James
3:1-10. Psalm 12:1-5,7-8. Mark 9:2-13. Lectionary #340:

God surprises us with many graces in our lives; some of these
experiences of God's loving kindness are transforming events, for example,
the reception of a sacrament or the reconciliation with a friend. By
listening with our heart we are able to discern such moments and thereby
deepen our relationship with God. Praise and thanksgiving are good ways of
appreciating God for such surprises of grace. The transfiguration of Jesus
before his three chosen apostles, Peter, James, and John, was also a
transforming moment for them through God's loving kindness. It helped them
to understand the mystery of Jesus' suffering, death, and resurrection. We
know they were shocked when they heard of Jesus' prediction of this journey
of suffering and death and then resurrection. He has to tell them about it
two more times! We read in Mark's original version of the transfiguration,
"They kept his word to themselves, though they continued to discuss what
"to rise from the dead" meant."(Mark 9:10). This questioning one another
about the resurrection was their way of discerning what Jesus was teaching
them about the Paschal Mystery. Discernment is an important part of our
personal and communitarian calls that we hear from the Scriptures.
St.Ignatius himself was converted to deepening his relationship with God by
pondering over and reflecting upon his life experiences. This led him to
formulate his Spiritual Exercises which continues to be one of the most
powerful forms of discernment today. Today we come down the mountain with
Jesus after having experienced him transfigured. We take up our ordinary
tasks and our relationships with renewed energy as we contine to reflect
upon them in the light of the Gospel and its teaching. Both Mark and the
other Evangelists will continue to help us by providing these teachings of
Jesus. It is our task to reflect upon them and to discern each time we
hear or read the Gospel what the Lord is calling us to do in today's
society. Transfiguration means transformation into Christ. It takes the
risk of resurrection faith to be transformed into Jesus. Pope John Paul II
made this event of the Transfiguration the fourth luminous mystery, namely,
those mysteries connected with the active ministry of Jesus in the four
Gospels. Amen.