To hear the Audio Reflections of Saturday, February 23, 2019 click HERE
Friday, 22 February 2019
Saturday, February 23, 2019 - If you were on the mountain with Jesus, what would your response to the Transfiguration be? Why?
To read the texts click on the texts: Heb 11:1-7; Mk 9:2-13
The transfiguration is an event, which appears in all the
Synoptic Gospels, but each narrates it differently. In Mark, it follows after
the instructions that Jesus gives to the disciples at Caesarea Philippi and
after six days. The event is a confirmation by God of the fact that Jesus is
indeed Messiah, beloved Son. Most think that the reason for the choice of
Elijah and Moses is that the Jews considered them as being alive in the
presence of God. Jesus is superior even to these figures.
In Mk the order is Elijah and Moses. In Matthew, the order is
Moses and Elijah (so Luke) to emphasize the two personalities of the OT who
received revelation on Mount Sinai (Ex 19:33-34; 1 Kgs 19:9-13) and personify
the Law and the prophets. While in Mt Jesus is the New Moses and Luke
emphasizes the approaching passion, Mark sees in the transfiguration the glorious
manifestation of the hidden Messiah. Briefly the disciples experience the
heavenly quality of Jesus. Jesus is no less Messiah when his Messianic glory is
hidden in the passion, than he is at the Transfiguration.
Elijah was regarded as the prophet who would come before the
Lord (Malachi 3:24-25; 4:5) as his messenger. Jesus’ reply in John suggests
that Elijah has indeed come in John the Baptist is an indication that he is the
Lord.
There are times in our lives when everything goes according to
plan and at those times it is easy to see that God is on our side. However,
when we are faced with trials and when things do not work out, as we want them
to, then the transfiguration is a reminder to us that even when carrying our
cross we are still beloved by God.
Saturday, February 23, 2019 - Heb 11:1-7; Mk 9:2-13
Saturday, February 23, 2019 - Heb 11:1-7; Mk 9:2-13
Thursday, 21 February 2019
Audio Reflections of Friday, February 22, 2019 The Chair of St. Peter
To hear the Audio Reflections of Friday, February 22, 2019 The Chair of St. Peter click HERE
Friday, February 22, 2019 - The Chair of St. Peter - If Jesus were to ask you the question he asked the disciples, what would your response be?
To read the texts click on the texts: 1 Pet 5:1-4; Mt 16:13-19
The Chair of St. Peter is a feast which celebrates
the Lord’s choice of Peter to be the servant-leader of the Church. The choice
of Peter is indicative of what the Church is. On the one hand Peter was over
zealous, brash, impulsive, spontaneous and ready to die for the Lord, while on
the other he would deny the Lord and run away when trouble arose. The Church as
a whole has been like Peter. Yet, this is whom the Lord chooses and continues
to choose, broken men and women called to heal a broken world.
The Gospel text chosen for the feast is popularly
known as “Peter’s Confession”. The question of Jesus concerning his identity is
not because he wanted to be informed about people’s opinion of him, but to draw
a contrast between people’s answers and the answer of the disciples. Matthew is
the only evangelist who adds Jeremiah to the answers of the people. Some think
that Matthew has done so because of Jeremiah’s association with the fall of
Jerusalem. Others think that Jeremiah is mentioned because of his prophecy of
the new covenant.
After hearing through the disciples what the
people have to say about his identity, Jesus asks the disciples the same
question. The “you” is plural and therefore addressed to all disciples. It is
also emphatic. Simon Peter answers on behalf of the group. Matthew adds “the
Son of the living God” to Mark’s “Christ”. Only in Matthew does Jesus respond
directly to Peter. Peter is not blessed because of a personal achievement, but
because of the gift he received from God. Jesus names Peter as rock, the one
who holds the keys and the one who binds and looses. Rock here stands for
foundation, and though Peter is the foundation, Jesus is the builder. The
holder of keys was one who had authority to teach and the one who binds and
looses is the one who had authority to interpret authoritatively. The reason
for ordering them to tell no one is to reinforce the idea that the community
founded by Jesus is distinct from Israel who rejected Jesus.
The feast of today invites us to reflect on two
aspects in the Church. The first of these is that authority in the Church does
not mean domination but always service. The model of this service is Jesus and
it is him that we must imitate. The second is that even as we are broken
ourselves and sinners, we are called to heal the world. This is because like in
Peter’s case so in ours, it was not his merit that made him the leader of the
Church, it was the grace of God which worked in him despite his sin.
Friday, February 22, 2019 - 1 Pet 5:1-4; Mt 16:13-19
Friday, February 22, 2019 - 1 Pet 5:1-4; Mt 16:13-19
Wednesday, 20 February 2019
Audio Reflections of Thursday, February 21, 2019
To hear the Audio Reflections of Thursday, February 21, 2019 click HERE
Thursday, February 21, 2019 - When troubles come your way, do you ask God to remove them or do you pray for the strength to face them squarely?
To read the texts click on the texts: Gen 9:1-13; Mk 8:27-33
The story that forms part of our text for today (8:27-30)
is titled by many as “Peter’s Confession”. The place where Jesus asks his
disciples questions about his identity is termed by Mark as “the villages of
Caesarea Philippi” which Matthew corrects to “the region of Caesarea Philippi”
(Mt 16:13).
The first question of Jesus concerns the opinion of people or the
common opinion. The views expressed are already in 6:14-16, namely: John the
Baptist, Elijah or one of the prophets. This obviously is an inadequate
description of who Jesus really is, and this is why the disciples as a group
are asked about Jesus’ identity.
Peter replies on behalf of the group that
Jesus is the Messiah or Christ.
In Mark, we come across yet again the command
to silence after this confession, and concerns not making known that Jesus is
the Messiah. The reason for this seems to be that since the confession is made
before the passion, it will not have taken into account that aspect of the life
of Jesus. This is why immediately after the command to silence Mark has the
first of three passion and resurrection predictions (8:31). For the first time
Mark informs us that Jesus “said all this quite openly” (8:32). On hearing
Jesus speak about his suffering, death and resurrection, Peter who had earlier
confessed that Jesus was Messiah begins to rebuke Jesus. The meaning is that
Peter thinks that Jesus is insane and needs to be exorcised of the demon that
has possessed him. Jesus in turn calls Peter, Satan. This is because in his
confession, Peter had not included the suffering and death of the
Messiah. Jesus will remain obedient to God even if it means laying down
his life in total surrender and no one can come in the way of that obedience.
It is not easy for us to accept that suffering is a part
of life itself and that there will be times when we are tested and tried.
However, as Christians we must also note that suffering can never be the end
and that since God wants only what is good for us we are loved unconditionally
even in our suffering.
Thursday, February 21, 2019 - Gen 9:1-13; Mk 8:27-33
Thursday, February 21, 2019 - Gen 9:1-13; Mk 8:27-33
Tuesday, 19 February 2019
Audio Reflections of Wednesday, February 20, 2019
To hear the Audio Reflections of Wednesday, February 20, 2019 click HERE
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