Memorial of Saint Polycarp, Bishop and
Martyr
Lectionary: 340
Lectionary: 340
Brothers and sisters:
Faith is the realization of what is hoped for
and evidence of things not seen.
Because of it the ancients were well attested.
By faith we understand that the universe was ordered by the word of God,
so that what is visible came into being through the invisible.
By faith Abel offered to God a sacrifice greater than Cain’s.
Through this, he was attested to be righteous,
God bearing witness to his gifts,
and through this, though dead, he still speaks.
By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death,
and he was found no more because God had taken him.
Before he was taken up, he was attested to have pleased God.
But without faith it is impossible to please him,
for anyone who approaches God must believe that he exists
and that he rewards those who seek him.
By faith Noah, warned about what was not yet seen,
with reverence built an ark for the salvation of his household.
Through this, he condemned the world
and inherited the righteousness that comes through faith.
Faith is the realization of what is hoped for
and evidence of things not seen.
Because of it the ancients were well attested.
By faith we understand that the universe was ordered by the word of God,
so that what is visible came into being through the invisible.
By faith Abel offered to God a sacrifice greater than Cain’s.
Through this, he was attested to be righteous,
God bearing witness to his gifts,
and through this, though dead, he still speaks.
By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death,
and he was found no more because God had taken him.
Before he was taken up, he was attested to have pleased God.
But without faith it is impossible to please him,
for anyone who approaches God must believe that he exists
and that he rewards those who seek him.
By faith Noah, warned about what was not yet seen,
with reverence built an ark for the salvation of his household.
Through this, he condemned the world
and inherited the righteousness that comes through faith.
Responsorial
PsalmPS 145:2-3, 4-5, 10-11
R. (see 1) I
will praise your name for ever, Lord.
Every day will I bless you,
and I will praise your name forever and ever.
Great is the LORD and highly to be praised;
his greatness is unsearchable.
R. I will praise your name for ever, Lord.
Generation after generation praises your works
and proclaims your might.
They speak of the splendor of your glorious majesty
and tell of your wondrous works.
R. I will praise your name for ever, Lord.
Let all your works give you thanks, O LORD,
and let your faithful ones bless you.
Let them discourse of the glory of your Kingdom
and speak of your might.
R. I will praise your name for ever, Lord.
Every day will I bless you,
and I will praise your name forever and ever.
Great is the LORD and highly to be praised;
his greatness is unsearchable.
R. I will praise your name for ever, Lord.
Generation after generation praises your works
and proclaims your might.
They speak of the splendor of your glorious majesty
and tell of your wondrous works.
R. I will praise your name for ever, Lord.
Let all your works give you thanks, O LORD,
and let your faithful ones bless you.
Let them discourse of the glory of your Kingdom
and speak of your might.
R. I will praise your name for ever, Lord.
AlleluiaSEE MK 9:6
R. Alleluia,
alleluia.
The heavens were opened and the voice of the Father thundered:
This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The heavens were opened and the voice of the Father thundered:
This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelMK 9:2-13
Jesus took Peter, James, and John
and led them up a high mountain apart by themselves.
And he was transfigured before them,
and his clothes became dazzling white,
such as no fuller on earth could bleach them.
Then Elijah appeared to them along with Moses,
and they were conversing with Jesus.
Then Peter said to Jesus in reply,
“Rabbi, it is good that we are here!
Let us make three tents:
one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
He hardly knew what to say, they were so terrified.
Then a cloud came, casting a shadow over them;
then from the cloud came a voice,
“This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.”
Suddenly, looking around, the disciples no longer saw anyone
but Jesus alone with them.
As they were coming down from the mountain,
he charged them not to relate what they had seen to anyone,
except when the Son of Man had risen from the dead.
So they kept the matter to themselves,
questioning what rising from the dead meant.
Then they asked him,
“Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?”
He told them, “Elijah will indeed come first and restore all things,
yet how is it written regarding the Son of Man
that he must suffer greatly and be treated with contempt?
But I tell you that Elijah has come
and they did to him whatever they pleased,
as it is written of him.”
and led them up a high mountain apart by themselves.
And he was transfigured before them,
and his clothes became dazzling white,
such as no fuller on earth could bleach them.
Then Elijah appeared to them along with Moses,
and they were conversing with Jesus.
Then Peter said to Jesus in reply,
“Rabbi, it is good that we are here!
Let us make three tents:
one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
He hardly knew what to say, they were so terrified.
Then a cloud came, casting a shadow over them;
then from the cloud came a voice,
“This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.”
Suddenly, looking around, the disciples no longer saw anyone
but Jesus alone with them.
As they were coming down from the mountain,
he charged them not to relate what they had seen to anyone,
except when the Son of Man had risen from the dead.
So they kept the matter to themselves,
questioning what rising from the dead meant.
Then they asked him,
“Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?”
He told them, “Elijah will indeed come first and restore all things,
yet how is it written regarding the Son of Man
that he must suffer greatly and be treated with contempt?
But I tell you that Elijah has come
and they did to him whatever they pleased,
as it is written of him.”
For the readings of the Memorial of Saint Polycarp, please go here.
Meditation: "This is
My Son, the Beloved - Listen to Him!"
Are
you prepared to see God's glory? God is eager to share his glory with us! We
get a glimpse of this when the disciples see Jesus transfigured on the
mountain. Jesus' face changed in appearance and his clothing became dazzling
white (Mark 9:2,3).
When
Moses met with God on Mount Sinai the skin of his face shone because he
had been talking with God (see Exodus 34:29). Paul says that the
Israelites could not look at Moses' face because of its brightness (2
Corinthians 3:7). In the Gospel account Jesus appeared in glory with Moses, the
great lawgiver of Israel, and with Elijah, the greatest of the prophets, in the
presence of three of his beloved apostles - Peter, James, and John.
What
is the significance of this mysterious appearance? Jesus went to the mountain
knowing full well what awaited him in Jerusalem - his betrayal, rejection and
crucifixion. Jesus very likely discussed this momentous decision to go to the
cross with Moses and Elijah. God the Father also spoke with Jesus and gave his
approval: This is my beloved Son; listen to him. The Father
glorified his son because he obeyed. The cloud which overshadowed Jesus and his
apostles fulfilled the dream of the Jews that when the Messiah came the cloud
of God's presence would fill the temple again (see Exodus 16:10, 19:9,
33:9; 1 Kings 8:10; 2 Maccabees 2:8).
The
Lord wants to share his glory with each of us
The Lord Jesus not only wants us to see his glory - he wants to share this glory with us. And Jesus shows us the way to the Father's glory: follow me - obey my words - take the path I have chosen for you and you will receive the blessings of my Father's kingdom - your name will be written in heaven.
The Lord Jesus not only wants us to see his glory - he wants to share this glory with us. And Jesus shows us the way to the Father's glory: follow me - obey my words - take the path I have chosen for you and you will receive the blessings of my Father's kingdom - your name will be written in heaven.
Jesus
succeeded in his mission because he went to Calvary so that Paradise would be
restored to us once again. He embraced the cross to obtain the crown of glory
that awaits each one of us, if we will follow in his footsteps.
Origen
of Alexandria (185-254 AD), an early church bible scholar and writer, shows us
how the transfiguration can change our lives:
"When
he is transfigured, his face also shines as the sun that he may be manifested
to the children of light who have put off the works of darkness and put on the
armor of light, and are no longer the children of darkness or night but have
become the sons of day, and walk honestly as in the day. Being manifest, he
will shine unto them not simply as the sun, but as demonstrated to be the sun
of righteousness."
Stay
awake spiritually - Don't miss God's glory and action
Luke's Gospel account tells us that while Jesus was transfigured, Peter, James, and John were asleep (Luke 9:32)! Upon awakening they discovered Jesus in glory along with Moses and Elijah. How much do we miss of God's glory and action because we are asleep spiritually? There are many things which can keep our minds asleep to the things of God: Mental lethargy and the "unexamined life" can keep us from thinking things through and facing our doubts and questions. The life of ease can also hinder us from considering the challenging or disturbing demands of Christ. Prejudice can make us blind to something new the Lord may have for us. Even sorrow can be a block until we can see past it to the glory of God.
Luke's Gospel account tells us that while Jesus was transfigured, Peter, James, and John were asleep (Luke 9:32)! Upon awakening they discovered Jesus in glory along with Moses and Elijah. How much do we miss of God's glory and action because we are asleep spiritually? There are many things which can keep our minds asleep to the things of God: Mental lethargy and the "unexamined life" can keep us from thinking things through and facing our doubts and questions. The life of ease can also hinder us from considering the challenging or disturbing demands of Christ. Prejudice can make us blind to something new the Lord may have for us. Even sorrow can be a block until we can see past it to the glory of God.
Are
you spiritually awake? Peter, James, and John were privileged witnesses of the
glory of Christ. We, too, as disciples of Christ are called to be witnesses of
his glory. We all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord,
are being changed into his likeness from one degree of glory to another; for
this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:18). The
Lord wants to reveal his glory to us, his beloved disciples. Do you seek his
presence with faith and reverence?
"Lord
Jesus, keep me always alert and awake to you, to your word, your action, and
your daily presence in my life. Let me see your glory."
Daily
Quote from the early church fathers: The transfiguration of Jesus, by
Jerome (347-420 AD)
"Do
you wish to see the transfiguration of Jesus? Behold with me the Jesus of the
Gospels. Let him be simply apprehended. There he is beheld both 'according to
the flesh' and at the same time in his true divinity. He is beheld in the form
of God according to our capacity for knowledge. This is how he was beheld by
those who went up upon the lofty mountain to be apart with him. Meanwhile those
who do not go up the mountain can still behold his works and hear his words,
which are uplifting. It is before those who go up that Jesus is transfigured,
and not to those below. When he is transfigured, his face shines as the sun,
that he may be manifested to the children of light, who have put off the works
of darkness and put on the armor of light (Romans 13:12). They are no
longer the children of darkness or night but have become the children of day.
They walk honestly as in the day. Being manifested, he will shine to them not
simply as the sun but as he is demonstrated to be, the sun of
righteousness." (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON MATTHEW 12.37.10)
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23, MARK 9:2-13
(Hebrews 11:1-7; Psalm 145)
(Hebrews 11:1-7; Psalm 145)
KEY VERSE: "This is my beloved Son. Listen to him" (v 7).
TO KNOW: Although Peter declared Jesus to be the Messiah of God, the disciples still did not have full understanding of his mission. Jesus took three of his disciples up a mountain to give them a glimpse of his prophetic mission and future glory. The mount of the Transfiguration became a unique place of God's revelation, echoing the experience of Moses, the great liberator who received God's Law on Mount Sinai (Ex 19:3,9; 34:27-29), and God's revelation on Mount Horeb ("Sinai," 1 Kgs 19:8) to Elijah, the great prophet. The appearance of Moses and Elijah revealed Jesus' fulfillment of the Law and his prophetic announcement of the reign of God. Peter was awestruck and proposed that they set up three tents ("booths" a symbol of the final harvest, Isaiah 25:6). A cloud overshadowed them all, reminiscent of the shekinah glory of God that filled the tent in the wilderness (Ex 40:35). The voice of God was heard confirming Christ's divine authority (Dt 18:15). Jesus' words must be heard and obeyed.
TO LOVE: How do I reveal God's kingdom to others?
TO SERVE: Lord Jesus, help me to listen to the words you speak and act on them.
Memorial of Saint Polycarp, bishop and martyr
Polycarp was a disciple of Saint John the Apostle, and a friend of Saint Ignatius of Antioch. He fought the heresy of Gnosticism. As Bishop of Smyrna (modern Izmir, Turkey), Polycarp was a revered Christian leader during the first half of the second century. The Asia Minor churches recognized Polycarp's leadership and chose him as a representative to Pope Anicetus on the question of the date of the Easter celebration. Only one of the many letters written by Polycarp has survived, the one he wrote to the Church of Philippi, Macedonia. At 86, Polycarp was to be burned alive in a stadium in Smyrna. The flames did not harm him and he was finally killed by a dagger, and his body burned. The "Acts" of Polycarp's martyrdom are the earliest reliable account of a Christian martyr's death.
NOTE: Gnosticism taught that salvation was achieved through special knowledge (Greek: gnosis). Gmostics believed that the material world was evil, which contradicted scripture that everything God made was good (Gen 1:31). If matter was evil, then Jesus Christ could not be true God and true man, for Christ is in no way evil. Thus many Gnostics denied the Incarnation, claiming that Christ only appeared to be a man, but that his humanity was an illusion. Some claimed that the God of the Jews was an evil deity who was distinct from the New Testament God of Jesus Christ They also proposed belief in many divine beings, known as aeons, who mediated between humanity and the ultimate, unreachable God. The lowest of these aeons, the one who had contact with humans, was supposed to be Jesus Christ.
Saturday 23 February 2019
St Polycarp.
Hebrews 11:1-7. Psalm 144(145):2-5, 10-11. Mark 9:2-13.
I will praise your name forever, Lord – Psalm 144(145):2-5,
10-11.
‘This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!’
Today’s readings reassure us strongly that Jesus loves us and is
present to us in both extraordinary and ordinary moments. The story of the
transfiguration is utterly other to our regular experience. It is a moment of
sheer power and influence over Peter, James and John.
What a joy it must have been to witness this event. What a gift
to be with Jesus on the mountain. Building tents there would have seemed
entirely sensible so that the moment could last forever.
Jesus is revealed as ‘the Beloved’ of the Father, the one
anointed to bring God’s love to all. As the speaking ‘Word made flesh’, the
disciples are commanded to ‘listen.’
Saint Polycarp
Saint of the Day for February 23
(c. 69 – c. 155)
 |
| Engraving of Saint Polycarp | Iconographic Collection |
Saint Polycarp’s Story
Polycarp, bishop of Smyrna, disciple of Saint John the
Apostle and friend of Saint Ignatius of Antioch, was a revered Christian
leader during the first half of the second century.
Saint Ignatius, on his way to Rome to be martyred, visited
Polycarp at Smyrna, and later at Troas wrote him a personal letter. The Asia
Minor Churches recognized Polycarp’s leadership by choosing him as a
representative to discuss with Pope Anicetus the date of the Easter celebration
in Rome—a major controversy in the early Church.
Only one of the many letters written by Polycarp has been
preserved, the one he wrote to the Church of Philippi in Macedonia.
At 86, Polycarp was led into the crowded Smyrna stadium to be
burned alive. The flames did not harm him and he was finally killed by a
dagger. The centurion ordered the saint’s body burned. The “Acts” of Polycarp’s
martyrdom are the earliest preserved, fully reliable account of a Christian
martyr’s death. He died in 155.
Reflection
Polycarp was recognized as a Christian leader by all Asia Minor
Christians—a strong fortress of faith and loyalty to Jesus Christ. His own
strength emerged from his trust in God, even when events contradicted this
trust. Living among pagans and under a government opposed to the new religion,
he led and fed his flock. Like the Good Shepherd, he laid down his life for his
sheep and kept them from more persecution in Smyrna. He summarized his trust in
God just before he died: “Father… I bless Thee, for having made me worthy of
the day and the hour…” (Acts of Martyrdom, Chapter 14).
Saint Polycarp is the Patron Saint of:
Earaches
LECTIO: MARK 9:2-13
Lectio Divina:
Saturday, February 23, 2019
Ordinary Time
1) OPENING PRAYER
Lord our God,
when Your Son was transfigured
You gave eyes of faith to the apostles
to see beyond appearances
and to recognize Jesus as Your beloved Son.
This vision gave them courage for the hour of trial.
When our faith and trust
seem to desert us in dark moments,
let Your Son take us up to the mountain
and give us a glimpse of His light,
that with fresh courage and generosity
we may see where He wants us to go.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
when Your Son was transfigured
You gave eyes of faith to the apostles
to see beyond appearances
and to recognize Jesus as Your beloved Son.
This vision gave them courage for the hour of trial.
When our faith and trust
seem to desert us in dark moments,
let Your Son take us up to the mountain
and give us a glimpse of His light,
that with fresh courage and generosity
we may see where He wants us to go.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
2) GOSPEL READING - MARK 9:2-13
Jesus took Peter, James, and John and led them up a high
mountain apart by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his
clothes became dazzling white, such as no fuller on earth could bleach them.
Then Elijah appeared to them along with Moses, and they were conversing with
Jesus. Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, “Rabbi, it is good that we are here!
Let us make three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” He
hardly knew what to say, they were so terrified. Then a cloud came, casting a
shadow over them; then from the cloud came a voice, “This is my beloved Son.
Listen to him.” Suddenly, looking around, the disciples no longer saw anyone
but Jesus alone with them. As they were coming down from the mountain, he
charged them not to relate what they had seen to anyone, except when the Son of
Man had risen from the dead. So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning
what rising from the dead meant. Then they asked him, “Why do the scribes say
that Elijah must come first?” He told them, “Elijah will indeed come first and
restore all things, yet how is it written regarding the Son of Man that he must
suffer greatly and be treated with contempt? But I tell you that Elijah has
come and they did to him whatever they pleased, as it is written of him.”
3) REFLECTION
• Today’s Gospel speaks about two facts linked together: the
Transfiguration of Jesus and the question regarding the return of the prophet
Elijah. At that time people were waiting for the return of the prophet Elijah.
Today many people are waiting for the return of Jesus and write on the walls of
the city: Jesus will return! They are not aware that Jesus has already returned
and is present in our life. Some times, like a sudden lightening, this presence
of Jesus bursts into our life and enlightens it, transfiguring it.
• The Transfiguration of Jesus takes place after the first announcement of the death of Jesus (Mk 8:27-30). This announcement had disturbed or upset the minds of the disciples, especially Peter’s (Mk 8:31-33). They were among the poor, but their mind was lost in the ideology of the government and the religion of the time (Mk 8:15). The cross was an obstacle to belief in Jesus. The Transfiguration of Jesus will help the disciples to overcome the trauma of the cross.
• In the year 70 when Mark was writing, the cross continued to be a great impediment for the Jews to accept Jesus as Messiah. They said, “The cross is a scandal!” (1 Cor 1:23). One of the greatest efforts of the first Christians consisted in helping people perceive that the cross was neither a scandal, nor madness, but rather the expression of the power and the wisdom of God (1Cor 1:22-31). Mark contributes to this. He uses the texts and the figure of the Old Testament to describe the Transfiguration. In this way he indicates that Jesus sees the realization of the prophecies, and the cross was a way toward glory.
• Mark 9:2-4: Jesus changes appearance. Jesus goes up a high mountain. Luke says that He goes up to pray (Lk 9:28). Up there, Jesus appears in glory before Peter, James and John. Together with Him appear Moses and Elijah. The high mountain evokes Mount Sinai, where in the past, God had manifested His will to the people, handing them the Law. The white clothes remind us of Moses with a radiant face when he spoke with God on the mountain and received the law (cf. Ex 43:29-35) Elijah and Moses, the two greatest authorities of the Old Testament, speak with Jesus. Moses represents the law, Elijah, prophecy. Luke mentions the conversation concerning the “exodus of Jesus”, that is, the death of Jesus in Jerusalem (Lk 9:31). It is then clear that the Old Testament, both the law as well as prophecy, already taught that for the Messiah Servant the way to glory had to go through the cross!
• Mark 9:5-6: Peter is pleased, but he does not understand. Peter wants to keep this pleasant moment on the mountain. He offers to build three tents. Mark says that Peter was afraid, without knowing what he was saying, and Luke adds that the disciples were sleepy (Lk 9:32). They were like us: they had difficulty understanding the cross!
• Mark 9:7-9: The voice from Heaven clarifies the facts. When Jesus was covered by glory, a voice came from the cloud and said, “This is My Beloved Son! Listen to Him!” The expression “Beloved Son” reminds us of the figure of the Messiah Servant, announced by the prophet Isaiah (cf. Isa 42:1). The expression: “Listen to Him!” reminds us of the prophecy which promised the coming of a new Moses (cf. Deut 18:15). In Jesus, the prophecies of the Old Testament are being fulfilled. The disciples can no longer doubt. Jesus is truly the glorious Messiah whom they desired, but the way to glory passes through the cross, according to what was announced by the prophecy of the servant (Isa 53:3-9). The glory of the Transfiguration proves this. Moses and Elijah confirm it. The Father guarantees it. Jesus accepts it. At the end, Mark says that after the vision, the disciples saw only Jesus and nobody else. From now on, Jesus is the only revelation of God for us! Jesus is alone, the key to understanding all of the Old Testament.
• Mark 9:9-10: To know how to keep silence. Jesus asked the disciples to tell no one what they had seen, until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead, but the disciples did not understand. In fact, they did not understand the meaning of the cross, which links suffering to the resurrection. The cross of Jesus is the proof that life is stronger than death.
• Mark 9:11-13: The return of the prophet Elijah. The prophet Malachi had announced that Elijah would return to prepare the path for the Messiah (Mal 3:23-24): this same announcement is found in the Book of Ecclesiasticus/Ben Sira (Sir 48:10). But how could Jesus be the Messiah if Elijah had not yet returned? This is why the disciples asked, “Why do the scribes say that Elijah has to come before?” (Mk 9:11). The response of Jesus is clear: “But I tell you Elijah has come and they have treated him as they pleased, just as the scriptures say about him” (9:13). Jesus was speaking about John the Baptist, who was killed by Herod (Mt 17:13).
• The Transfiguration of Jesus takes place after the first announcement of the death of Jesus (Mk 8:27-30). This announcement had disturbed or upset the minds of the disciples, especially Peter’s (Mk 8:31-33). They were among the poor, but their mind was lost in the ideology of the government and the religion of the time (Mk 8:15). The cross was an obstacle to belief in Jesus. The Transfiguration of Jesus will help the disciples to overcome the trauma of the cross.
• In the year 70 when Mark was writing, the cross continued to be a great impediment for the Jews to accept Jesus as Messiah. They said, “The cross is a scandal!” (1 Cor 1:23). One of the greatest efforts of the first Christians consisted in helping people perceive that the cross was neither a scandal, nor madness, but rather the expression of the power and the wisdom of God (1Cor 1:22-31). Mark contributes to this. He uses the texts and the figure of the Old Testament to describe the Transfiguration. In this way he indicates that Jesus sees the realization of the prophecies, and the cross was a way toward glory.
• Mark 9:2-4: Jesus changes appearance. Jesus goes up a high mountain. Luke says that He goes up to pray (Lk 9:28). Up there, Jesus appears in glory before Peter, James and John. Together with Him appear Moses and Elijah. The high mountain evokes Mount Sinai, where in the past, God had manifested His will to the people, handing them the Law. The white clothes remind us of Moses with a radiant face when he spoke with God on the mountain and received the law (cf. Ex 43:29-35) Elijah and Moses, the two greatest authorities of the Old Testament, speak with Jesus. Moses represents the law, Elijah, prophecy. Luke mentions the conversation concerning the “exodus of Jesus”, that is, the death of Jesus in Jerusalem (Lk 9:31). It is then clear that the Old Testament, both the law as well as prophecy, already taught that for the Messiah Servant the way to glory had to go through the cross!
• Mark 9:5-6: Peter is pleased, but he does not understand. Peter wants to keep this pleasant moment on the mountain. He offers to build three tents. Mark says that Peter was afraid, without knowing what he was saying, and Luke adds that the disciples were sleepy (Lk 9:32). They were like us: they had difficulty understanding the cross!
• Mark 9:7-9: The voice from Heaven clarifies the facts. When Jesus was covered by glory, a voice came from the cloud and said, “This is My Beloved Son! Listen to Him!” The expression “Beloved Son” reminds us of the figure of the Messiah Servant, announced by the prophet Isaiah (cf. Isa 42:1). The expression: “Listen to Him!” reminds us of the prophecy which promised the coming of a new Moses (cf. Deut 18:15). In Jesus, the prophecies of the Old Testament are being fulfilled. The disciples can no longer doubt. Jesus is truly the glorious Messiah whom they desired, but the way to glory passes through the cross, according to what was announced by the prophecy of the servant (Isa 53:3-9). The glory of the Transfiguration proves this. Moses and Elijah confirm it. The Father guarantees it. Jesus accepts it. At the end, Mark says that after the vision, the disciples saw only Jesus and nobody else. From now on, Jesus is the only revelation of God for us! Jesus is alone, the key to understanding all of the Old Testament.
• Mark 9:9-10: To know how to keep silence. Jesus asked the disciples to tell no one what they had seen, until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead, but the disciples did not understand. In fact, they did not understand the meaning of the cross, which links suffering to the resurrection. The cross of Jesus is the proof that life is stronger than death.
• Mark 9:11-13: The return of the prophet Elijah. The prophet Malachi had announced that Elijah would return to prepare the path for the Messiah (Mal 3:23-24): this same announcement is found in the Book of Ecclesiasticus/Ben Sira (Sir 48:10). But how could Jesus be the Messiah if Elijah had not yet returned? This is why the disciples asked, “Why do the scribes say that Elijah has to come before?” (Mk 9:11). The response of Jesus is clear: “But I tell you Elijah has come and they have treated him as they pleased, just as the scriptures say about him” (9:13). Jesus was speaking about John the Baptist, who was killed by Herod (Mt 17:13).
4) PERSONAL QUESTIONS
• Has your faith in Jesus given you moments of transfiguration
and of intense joy? How do these moments of joy give you strength in times of
difficulty?
• How can we transfigure today our personal and family life as well as our community life?
• How can we transfigure today our personal and family life as well as our community life?
5) CONCLUDING PRAYER
All goes well for one who lends generously,
who is honest in all his dealing;
for all time to come he will not stumble,
for all time to come the upright will be remembered. (Ps 112:5-6)
who is honest in all his dealing;
for all time to come he will not stumble,
for all time to come the upright will be remembered. (Ps 112:5-6)
Không có nhận xét nào:
Đăng nhận xét