Daily Gospel Reflection for August 6, 2021

Join us as we reflect, ponder, and pray together inspired by today's Gospel.

Today's Gospel: Feast of the Transfiguration - Mark 9:2-10

Dazzling white. Moses and Elijah, the Law and the Prophets. Confused disciples. A commanding voice. I side with Peter’s confusion: what does it all mean? I wish I had that kind of direct support sometimes. Though the more I think about it, the more I’m drawing a parallel to those in our heritage who have experienced more direct support from God and guess what: it always means suffering and sacrifice. Well, fiddlesticks.

In my head, I want that type of relationship with God, where saints come and support me and intercede for me, and where the Father speaks to me in ways others wonder at. The reality is that that type of closeness begets suffering and sacrifice.

But why were Moses and Elijah there in the first place? They represent the Law and the Prophets - they symbolize Jewish history and their call to relationship with God. And both of them anticipated one greater than themselves coming to truly show God’s people the way, to come and make a covenant above all other covenants, one that fulfill the Law through God’s Anointed One. I just finished reading through most of the Pentateuch and at the heart of it is worshipping the one true God with pure hearts. Up until Jesus, the way that they could truly worship before God was through sacrifice. Moses and Elijah are here with Jesus to confirm that this is required - sacrifice. He is the One, his obedience to God’s Law is the path that he must take, and it is through this that humanity will be restored.

The saints who are close to God confirm that the way to true worship is sacrifice. It is suffering. To be close to God is to participate in His life, His death, and eventually, we hope, His resurrection.

Ponder:

How much do I really want to be close to God - am I willing to suffer and sacrifice myself for Him?

Pray:

Jesus, Your brilliant Transfiguration shows us that the way to heaven is through trial; help us to accept Your invitation to suffer in order to offer our whole self to You in worship.