The Sunday Sermon Archive

Dear Friend,

Today we are reminded again of the Divinity of Jesus Christ. He was transfigured before a few of His Apostles and there they witness the glory of God and of two of His closest friends, Moses and Elias. The beauty of this scene inspires St. Peter to suggest that they build shelter for them — obviously because he wished to stay there awhile. Then they hear the magnificent voice of the Father and fall face down to the earth in fear.

This is the glory of God that awaits all who would be the friends of Christ. As the intensity of God's glory manifests itself to us, we will be overcome with fear like these Apostles knowing our own weakness and unworthiness. Our human nature weakened by sin is incapable of beholding the beauty of God without a special grace.

So God in His mercy towards us remains hidden lest we die from beholding Him face to face, just as He hid His splendor and glory from the Apostles once again.

We behold Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament hidden from our view lest we remain away from Him out of fear. God is so set upon uniting us with Himself and seeing that we are incapable of rising up to Him, He has lowered Himself to us. He remains hidden to the proud and mighty of this world but, finds great pleasure in revealing Himself to the humble and lowly.

So it must be with the eyes of faith that we see and believe. It is with full trust in God that we come to Him, and it is with hope that we long for the day we can see Him face to face and not be killed in the process. But most of all it must be for the love of Him. This transfiguration has been related again to us to keep this glorious hope alive in our souls to give us greater faith and love so that we will have the courage and strength to bear our crosses and sufferings in this life in a worthy manner.

St. Paul tells us in today's epistle how to do this. God wills our sanctification through abstinence from fornication. We should all learn how to keep our bodies in sanctification and honor, and not in the passion of lust, like those that do not know God. In our business dealings we should be honest and above board. Why? Because God is the avenger of all these things. God has not called us unto uncleanness, but unto sanctification in Christ Jesus our Lord.

In disciplining ourselves in just these two areas we allow the graces of God to effectually cleanse our souls and sanctify us. And from this point onward we are cleansed more and more and drawn closer and closer to God. As this sanctity transforms our hearts, minds, and souls a veil is lifted from our eyes and we are given the privilege of seeing the glory of God, and not being struck dead with fear.

In the Holy Eucharist we perceive beauty, holiness, and goodness to the degree that we free ourselves from sins _ particularly the grosser sins of impurity and lying and cheating.

In our examination of conscience we beg of God the light to show us to ourselves and the courage and humility to confess our sins so that we may receive pardon and absolution.

In our confession we free ourselves from the heavy burden of sin and go away with a purified soul eager for the graces of God, and if we persevere in this state we are gradually lead up the mountain of our faith were we will no longer behold bread upon our altars. At least with the eyes of faith, if not with the eyes of the body, we will behold the glory of God shining forth for us.

In Holy Communion there is often an intimate communication between God and a chosen soul at that particular moment. And for at least a brief passing moment we are given a glimpse of Heaven. Christ is transfigured before us. And in the beauty of the moment we feel the desire of St. Peter as he exclaimed: It is good for us to be here. And we desire to preserve this moment forever. Let us build tents so that we will not have to go home.

But, because of the weakness of our fallen nature, as the glory of this moment increases the joy and the happiness give way to fear and the knowledge of our unworthiness and then we look up and all is as it was before. We admonish ourselves to keep quiet about the graces we have received less it be nothing more than our fanciful imagination. But, in the end we cannot forget the things that were experienced within the depth of our own souls. And this is to give us strength and courage to continue on in our pursuit of perfection in embracing our penances, crosses, and sufferings for the love of God.

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