Br. Michael, ofm

The Feast of the Transfiguration is celebrated in the peak of summer, every year on August 6. I think it is timely as many people are in summer mode – taking in creation. Through hikes, mountain visits, sitting by a lake, spending time in the garden, enjoying fresh fruits and vegetables and beautiful flowers or traveling for special events we are invited to behold the glory of God; like on Mount Tabor. In this Jubilee Year of Hope, this feast of the Transfiguration invites us to consider pilgrimage and how it transforms us. We need not go far and yet can be transformed. A walk spent with an intention becomes a pilgrimage. But do we take note? Are we aware of the simple moments of invitation and transformation in our daily living?

 

Each day offers us an invitation to transformation and awareness of God’s glory. By being intentional in our outlook, we become like the disciples on Mount Tabor filled with awe and delight. Eager to want to spend time secured in the holiness of the moment but also facing the reality we are called forth into the pilgrimage of life. We are called to live out what it means to be a chosen and beloved child of God.

 

We all have moments of transfiguration. This past weekend my nephew married his beautiful bride. Those of us who attended this wedding were invited into moments of transformation and glory. From the beauty of creation inviting us into a splendid day, to deeply touching vows exchanged through teary eyes, to stories and laughter shared, and people traveling from near and far to be present we were transformed because of their love for each other, our love for them and the love of God so very present.

 

The belovedness of the couple was apparent. It was in the simple moments not the extraordinary ones which reminded us of the closeness of God. Like the disciples on Mount Tabor, we desired to stay in the gift of a wedding day, but the reality is we need to carry the joy, the beauty, the glory and our transformed hearts into our daily living. One author reminds us, “from Mount Tabor’s splendor, the Savior tells us: “Become what you behold.”” The question is then what do we behold? Nothing other than God present to us.

 

This peak summertime feast with its invitation to pilgrimage through the Mount Tabour experience invites us to pay attention to God’s glory revealed in creation, in relationships, in wedding moments, in ordinary Wednesday mornings and in pilgrimage. It calls us to embody our Savior and be transformed by him, to be filled with awe and to carry it forward.

 

The Eucharist is this very invitation to become what we behold. We behold Christ present before our very eyes. We receive him who transforms us by his very body and blood. We then in turn are invited to be a witness of his glory in our lives and in all creation around us. The pilgrimage of hope during the rest of this summer is an invitation to pay attention, to be filled with awe, and as St. Peter says in his second letter to be “as a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.” Yes, it is good for us to be here and in turn it is good for us to return to our lives transformed by the simple gift of bread broken and shared with us. Let us be attentive for God’s glory is everywhere and right here.