August 6, 2006
Feast of the Transfiguration
 |
Today the Church celebrates the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord. I can only imagine the utter awe experienced by the three fishermen at the moment when the veil was pulled back to allow Jesus’ divinity to shine like the sun. John Paul II wrote that by this one spectacular vision... “He called them not only to welcome the Kingdom of God into their own lives, but also to put their lives at its service, leaving everything behind and closely imitating His own way of life.” This quotation is taken from our late Holy Father’s Apostolic Exhortation, Vita Consecrata, on the consecrated life.
The Pope has offered to religious brothers and sisters this event of our Lord’s life as a special meditation or “icon” of the life we are called to live. In the document he challenges us to a more “radical gift of self for love of the Lord Jesus and, in Him, every member of the human family.”
This very week members of three New York-based religious communities will have had members of their fraternity deepen the expression of their commitment of self. The Franciscan Sisters of the Renewal invested seven women in the holy habit of Saint Francis with the white veil of the Novitiate. The Sisters of Life will receive the temporary vows of three sisters. And our own little band of friars celebrated the final profession of vows of four of our Brothers.
But how does a person begin this journey toward a radical gift of self? Why do young men and women choose a life of poverty, chastity, and obedience?
I have become convinced through my own personal experience that the way Jesus drew the apostles to Himself is the same way that He does today. He still calls the ordinary person forth from his ordinary position in life. Then, He leads them from subtle experiences of His presence to a definitive moment of “transfiguration.” In that moment the Lord both expands and focuses the view of His follower to see that all of life should be lived for Jesus Christ alone.
Exactly two years ago I was on a week of retreat for a group of diocesan seminarians. One evening we were in adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in a little chapel overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. As the sun set outside, everything else faded away and Our Eucharistic King became the only focal point. After Benediction and reposition of the Holy Sacrament, the Deacon apologized that our holy hour had actually gone on for a holy hour and a half! I had not even noticed, whereas ordinarily I would have been fidgeting after twenty minutes. All the seminarians had been in such awe and so focused on Jesus’ presence that no one had bothered to check their watch. I call this my “transfiguration” moment because in the same way that Jesus, while here on earth, hid himself under the appearance of an ordinary carpenter, so today does He hide Himself under the appearance of an ordinary piece of bread. During that Holy Hour the veil of humility was lifted and I experienced a foretaste of heaven. This helps me understand why, after the Transfiguration, Peter would have wanted to build those tents (Mark 9:5).
Jesus said, “Rise and have no fear” (Matt. 17:7). After my retreat, a burden had been lifted from my shoulders. I realized that my plan, to become a priest, was what I had wanted to do for God, just like SaintPeter’s plan was to build the tents for Jesus, Moses and Elijah. Life does not consist of what I or SaintPeter could do for Jesus, but rather life is Jesus Himself.
“Lord, it is well that we are here.” (Mark 9:5) Now I understand that what I had felt the Lord inviting me to was to live not for myself or my possible wife and children, but to live for Him—to have Jesus as my other as it will be in heaven. Father R.Cantalamessa, in his book entitled Virginity, said it well, “[Celibacy] is not, ontologically, a more perfect state [than marriage] but it is an eschatologically more advanced state.” (p.7) Jesus invites religious to live now as it will be in heaven, and thanks be to God, He provides the necessary grace to do so. As Jesus said to the Apostle, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Cor 12:9).
Do not be afraid to respond to the loving countenance of Christ transfigured. Have you or has someone you know felt called to the religious life? Do you have doubts that it is possible for you to imitate Jesus in obedience, with nothing of your own, and in chastity? I leave you with the written words of John Paul II, “Every mission begins with the attitude expressed by Mary at the Annunciation: ‘Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be done to me according to you word’” (Lk 1:38).
Br. Luke Joseph Leighton, CFR
_________________________________________________
send us your questions/comments: fromthefriars@ franciscanfriars.com