St. Anne’s On Transfiguration Sunday

Today, I went to Mass at St. Anne's again. It was a beautiful Mass said by the pastor. Most of the homily was centered on the Gospel reading where Jesus took Peter, James, and John to the mountain where He was transfigured. A voice from the cloud said:  

“This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” (Matthew 17:5)  

Peter, overwhelmed by the moment, suggested:  

“Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will put up three tents—one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” (Matthew 17:4)  

It was a beautiful day. Peter didn't want them to leave the mountaintop, but the mission was not there. They had to descend, for the will of God was to be fulfilled in Jerusalem.  

The pastor also reflected on the Old Testament reading, where God made a covenant with Abram, later named Abraham. God called him to leave his homeland and journey to a foreign land, promising:  

“Look up at the sky and count the stars—if indeed you can count them. Then he said to him, ‘So shall your descendants be.’” (Genesis 15:5)  

Astrophysics tells us that there are billions of stars in one galaxy alone, and we are just one of many galaxies—likely making trillions of stars in the universe. This helps us grasp the vastness of God's promise to Abraham. Unlike human promises, which can be easily forgotten or broken, God's word is steadfast and true. And did God fulfill His promises to Abrah? Resounding yes. 

There was a story of a young man who, after visiting his doctor and being diagnosed with a serious illness, pleaded and promised to donate a significant portion of his wealth to build a hospital if he was healed. The doctor did everything he could, and the man recovered and was healed. He had forgotten and years later, when the doctor reminded him of his promise, the man dismissed it, saying he would never have made such a commitment under normal circumstances. In short, I never made that promise. 

But “God is not like humans, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?” (Numbers 23:19)  

We must be people of integrity. We must honor our promises and obligations to others. 

As we journey through this season of Lent, we, too, need transfiguration, not just in appearance, but in our way of life. Are we too attached to TV shows, gossiping, smoking substances that can have a negative impact on our health, drinking, gambling? Whatever it is, we need transformation. Like Peter on the mountaintop, we may be tempted to stay in our comfort zones, away from the world's troubles. But God calls us to come down from the mountain and fulfill His purpose.  

May we embrace true transformation, trusting in the promises of God.  

God bless, and have a blessed Sunday.  

Pal Ronnie