the e-Testament
Matthew 17: 1-9
Sunlight Poured from His Face
Six days later, three of them saw that glory. Jesus took Peter and the brothers, James and John, and led them up a high mountain. His appearance changed from the inside out, right before their eyes. Sunlight poured from his face. His clothes were filled with light. Then they realized that Moses and Elijah were also there in deep conversation with him.
Peter broke in, “Master, this is a great moment! What would you think if I built three memorials here on the mountain—one for you, one for Moses, one for Elijah?”
While he was going on like this, babbling, a light-radiant cloud enveloped them, and sounding from deep in the cloud a voice: “This is my Son, marked by my love, focus of my delight. Listen to him.”
When the disciples heard it, they fell flat on their faces, scared to death. But Jesus came over and touched them. “Don’t be afraid.” When they opened their eyes and looked around all they saw was Jesus, only Jesus.
Coming down the mountain, Jesus swore them to secrecy. “Don’t breathe a word of what you’ve seen. After the Son of Man is raised from the dead, you are free to talk.”
Prayer
Lord,
As we progress through the Lenten season,
Help us to stay focused on you, and not to be distracted by temptations.
As we follow you through Jesus’ most difficult journey,
Help us to follow you and understand the pain you endured.
And help us to find peace within ourselves and to reach it all across the world.
Amen
Reflection
When our lives get difficult, we always put our trust in Jesus. We trust him to help us and to find the strength to get us through our strife. However it is Jesus who puts his trust in us.
It’s a little bit scary to think about. Jesus trusts us. He trusts us to do the work of the Lord. He trusts us to live our lives as one of the disciples of the Word. Although we shouldn’t be scared of that, because Jesus says “Don’t be afraid”. We are trusted as one of God’s children, to Pray and fill our spirit with the Love of God and to use God’s love by helping ourselves and others in times of struggle.
As we continue through Lent, we feel the love that of Jesus begin to build as we walk his journey to the cross. We follow him throughout all of the judgement and all of the trials and tribulations, but we still have to remember that his love for us is as strong as always. We will see the strength that he had, along with all of the disciples, to fight through all that was going on around him. And that the strength he has is given to all of us, whenever we ask.
Jonny Dearden
Salesian Volunteer