“While He was praying,
His face changed in appearance
and His clothing became dazzling white”
(Lk 9:29)
Jesus climbs the mountain and enters into prayer. There, He is transfigured. Prayer has a way of doing that. And not just if you’re the Son of God! As sons and daughters of God, encountering the Light and Life of God in Prayer will change your appearance – more often than not, from the inside out. And while your cloths may not transform in appearance, the state of your soul can certainly be every more dazzling bright.
So, how has your Lenten Prayer been going? We are just 12 days into Lent. You may not feel like you’ve experienced much change. You’ve likely not seen the Lord nor heard the voice from heaven, but just like those first days out in the spring sunlight can subtly leave our skin red, so too can time spent with Christ in prayer, gradually add color to one’s life. And it most often takes time, something so very much in short supply. Just as growth of trees and plants and people is slow and even imperceptible if we are watching for it, it is still happening. Right before your eyes. So I encourage you to spend the time. “You need endurance to do the will of God and receive what He has promised” (Heb 10:36). Step into Christ’s Light and while away some hours with Him! Your spiritual complexion will thank you for it.
Many images of the Transfiguration remind me of images of Eucharistic Adoration. The Monstrance holding Christ in the Eucharist at the center, all glow with people kneeling and in prayer before Him. We might not have been on Mt Tabor when Jesus was Transfigured and chatted with Moses and Elijah, but we can definitely be present with Him now in Adoration and have our own chat.
Speaking of sunlight and whiling away the hours, the New Albany Deanery Schools, including Holy Family, starting Spring Break this coming Friday, March 18. Know of my prayers for everyone’s safety and rest. I will also be praying you remember it is still Lent. That doesn’t mean “no fun”, but it does mean we should continue to be attentive to our Prayer, Fasting, & Almsgiving preparation to encounter Christ more deeply, especially in Mass! His is not a relationship you can take a vacation from, at least not and expect it to be strong and well-tended when you need it most. His is one that must be fostered daily.
Thank you for the ‘restraint’ with regard to bathroom visits during Mass. It has been noticed, errrrr, well, perhaps not noticed, and that’s the point! Either way, the reduction in foot traffic is very much appreciated. Thank you.
Holy Family, Pray for us.
~ Fr Jeremy M. Gries