Meditations on the Sunday Gospel for the Year of the Eucharist
Beginning Sunday February 20th, 2005
of the Lord
and resurrection. He encouraged his followers to take up their cross and to
not be afraid to lose their lives for his sake.
Here we find Jesus giving his followers a glimpse of the goal. He gives
them hope and a reason to carry the cross by allowing them to see his
divinity shine through his humanity. They are allowed to see, although
veiled, the power of the resurrected Christ. (see Matthew 17:2, 28:3)
Throughout the Gospels we come to see that Jesus is the perfect
fulfillment of the Law as well as the perfect fulfillment of all prophesies.
Therefore we see him conversing with Moses and Elijah, the two most
prominent representatives of the Old Testament who represent the Law and
the Prophets. Both Moses and Elijah prefigured Jesus in word and deed
and are seen by the Church as “types” of Christ. (examples – Exodus 16:4,
14 & John 6:31, 1 Kings 17:1-24, Mark 5:35-43)
Apostles and You
beginning. You notice that events have become
increasingly intense. His ministry began with challenging
words and ideas like the beatitudes. The words were
followed by even more challenging sights like cures and
miracles.
Now imagine that you are on the mountain with Jesus,
Peter, James, and John. What goes through your mind as
you see the Lord’s face shine like the sun and his
garments become white as light? What are you thinking of
when you see him conversing with Moses and Elijah?
How would you react to Peter’s outburst?
As you are taking all of this in you hear that voice
again. That voice that seems to fill time and space yet at
the same time you question if it was simply a whisper. The
voice penetrates your very being, “This is my beloved Son,
with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.”
Jesus asks you not to tell anyone until “the Son of Man
has been raised from the dead. Do you tell anyone? How
do you keep this event to yourself?
What do you want me to see? I am traveling with You on this Lenten journey
but today I feel as though You are revealing Yourself not only to Peter, James,
and John but to me as well. However, I am having difficulty seeing what it is
You want to reveal to me. I trust that You will reveal Your will to me when I am
ready. Until then I must say, “Lord, it is good that we are here.” It is good to
be here in this place with You apart from the world.
Jesus, sometimes I am lulled by the world into thinking of You as simply someone who
loves me no matter what. I know that You love me without any strings attached. However, I
also know that You love me too much to allow me to stay the way I am. Lord, open my heart
here in this silence and reveal to me the changes I must make. Reveal to me how I must be
transfigured. [Listen in silence for ten minutes]
Lord, like Peter, I don’t want this time to end. I don’t want to go back to my job and its
demands. I don’t want to deal with unruly children and overdue bills. I don’t want to face the
pain and sickness that is in my life at this time. Lord, it was only after You first spoke of your
Passion that You allowed Your followers to see Your glory. Jesus, give me strength to
continue on the road to Calvary with You and to carry my cross daily. [Tell Jesus about all
the struggles you are facing at this time and listen to His advice]
Jesus, I gain strength when I come and bask in Your glory in adoration. Often I feel like
Moses who had to cover his face after speaking with You because his face was so radiant.
Lord, Your glory shone through Your humanity during the Transfiguration. Please give me
the grace to let Your glory shine through my humanity after spending this time with You.
[Look upon Christ in the Eucharist and simply enjoy His Presence]
EUCHARIST
"This is My Body," who will dare remain hesitant? And
since with equal clarity He asserted: "This is My Blood,"
who will dare entertain any doubt and say that this is not
His Blood?... You have been taught these truths. Imbued
with the certainty of faith, you know that what seems to be
bread is not bread but the Body of Christ, although it
seems to be bread when tasted. You also know that what
seems to be wine is not wine but the Blood of Christ
although it does taste like wine.
- St Cyril of Jerusalem
Almighty and ever-living God, I approach the sacrament of Your only-begotten Son
Our Lord Jesus Christ, I come sick to the doctor of life, unclean to the fountain of mercy,
blind to the radiance of eternal light, and poor and needy to the Lord of heaven and earth.
Lord, in your great generosity, heal my sickness, wash away my defilement, enlighten
my blindness, enrich my poverty, and clothe my nakedness. May I receive the bread of
angels, the King of kings and Lord of lords, with humble reverence, with the purity and
faith, the repentance and love, and the determined purpose that will help to bring me to
salvation. May I receive the sacrament of the Lord's Body and Blood, and its reality and
power.
Kind God, may I receive the Body of Your only-begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ,
born from the womb of the Virgin Mary, and so be received into His mystical body and
numbered among His members.
Loving Father, as on my earthly pilgrimage I now receive Your beloved Son under the
veil of a sacrament, may I one day see him face to face in glory, who lives and reigns with
You for ever. Amen.
Prayer before Mass by Saint Thomas Aquinas
Year of the Eucharist Page
Meditation in Word Format