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| Apse mosaic of the Transfiguration ~ 6th century Monastery of Saint Catherine ~ Mount Sinai |
The Fourth Luminous Mystery
The Transfiguration of Jesus
Our Father Who art in heaven...
On the way to Jerusalem - up the mountain and down the mountain. It is a recurring New Testament theme: we're on a journey with Jesus. And journey means to move along, to keep going step-by-step, as the Christ-person in me grows to full stature.
Hail Mary, full of grace...
The great mosaic is over the altar at Saint Catherine's Monastery at the base of Mount Sinai in Egypt which Moses climbed and where he beheld God while receiving the Law. Moses and the prophet Elijah are pictured here, and Jesus standing in the ancient continuity of law and prophet. He fulfills all that they said and directed in his law of love, lived wholly on the cross and from the Easter tomb.
Hail Mary, full of grace...
Jesus is splendid in a radiance the gospels can only struggle to express. But whatever Jesus has, he shares. I pray to reflect my own personal brightness - not attractiveness as the culture perceives it but as Christ would call me to.
Hail Mary, full of grace...
Jesus has just told Peter, James and John that he is going to suffer and die. He lets these three apostles witness the bright window into His Resurrection, as they will be with Him in the garden of His arrest. He consoles them by this Easter insight.
Hail Mary, full of grace...
This Transfiguration is our hope - our assurance that God will act: "That we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed" (1Cor.15:51) Change! What an important word in a world of stubborness, pride, arrogance, smuggness. That my mind would be made fresh - like the freshness of the Christ who shines as new snow.
Hail Mary, full of grace...
Peter, James and John are here tumbling down the mountain, so bright is the glistening Christ. Have I ever allowed myself to be overwhelmed by the beauty of Christ? Have I ever allowed Christ to knock down what I think is life - Christ who will then raise me up in His bright vision?
Hail Mary, full of grace...
A cloud overshadowed them - like the Spirit of God hovering bird-like over the abyss in the beginning. (Genesis 1:1) Now God hovering over Jesus, the new human person.
Hail Mary, full of grace...
We listen to sales pitches, news commentators, politicians, the clergy, good-neighborly and family advice, the experts...But when heaven opens over us, the Divine Voice tells us to "Listen always" to Jesus.
Hail Mary, full of grace...
The face of humanity is often dirtied, weary; diseased; tear-stained; contorted by anger, fear or sadness. Can I see the face of Christ there too?
Hail Mary, full of grace...
Rumi is a 13th century Persian poet, scholar and Sufi mystic. The Jesus of bright-light would clap with appreciation when Rumi wrote:
There is a candle in your heart, ready to be kindled. There is a void in your soul, ready to be filled. You feel it don't you?
There is a candle in your heart, ready to be kindled. There is a void in your soul, ready to be filled. You feel it don't you?
Hail Mary, full of grace...
Glory be to the Father...
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| Rose Window ~ Saint John the Divine ~ New York City |
