A Gospel according to Matthew 17:1-9
Jesus took Peter, James, and his brother, John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, conversing with him. Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud cast a shadow over them, then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” When the disciples heard this, they fell prostrate and were very much afraid. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and do not be afraid.” And when the disciples raised their eyes, they saw no one else but Jesus alone.
As they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, “Do not tell the vision to anyone until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”
REFLECTION: “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
Have you ever been in a "good place" during prayer?
You know, that moment when there are absolutely no distractions, no outside noises, no interference in your dialog with God?
It is good to experience the peace that mental prayer can give us. What Peter seems to want to do, and what I know I do often, is to stay in that place and never be bothered again.
Why would he want to leave it all? They were pretty much touching Heaven. Jesus, Moses, and Elijah were hanging in there. Jesus was Transfigured in glory. Heck, if they could just stay there, set tents, they wouldn't have to worry about anything ever again...
But Jesus is not a gift that we keep for ourselves.
Throughout the last few weeks we've been reading the parables of the sower, the net, the grain, the miracle of the bread and fishes...
Jesus exhorts us to give Him ourselves. This is, by giving ourselves to others.
It is good to spend time with the Lord. To ask for His help, His consolation, His love. To listen to His words.
And this help, consolation, love, and words are to be shared with all.
Do we keep ourselves in a safe place? Or are we generous with these gifts that we are given?
Do we share the gift of PAPA with others?
Share from our treasure of teachings. Give to an acquaintance, or to someone you don't know a hard copy of one of these cards or booklets: PAPA Prayer, "Top Secret", "The Face of the Priesthood", "Mother Theresa's booklet", Prayer for the Unborn, etc.
We have PAPA printed materials in several languages: English, Spanish, and Vietnamese.
If you don't have any of these, Contact the Kitchen, we will give you what you need.
We cannot stay in our "safe" place. If we don't bear fruit, we will be useless. Let's share the beauty that Jesus has given us!
God bless y'all!
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