28/02/2010 - 02ª LENTEN SEASON - C
1st. Reading Gen 15,5-12.17-18 Psalm 26 2nd. Reading Phil 3,17 - 4,1 Gospel Lk 9,28-36
"Now they know that all you have given me come from you, because I gave them
the words you have given me; they have welcomed them and they know that I truly
came from you, and they believe that you have sent me". Jesus spoke of his
own disciples and he praises them in front of the Father. They had welcomed his
teachings, they had questioned him when ever they did not understand, and when they
argued without faith, according the selfish way of the world, he was harsh on them.
The disciples knew that the word that came out of the mouth of Jesus was Word of
God, even when they preaching it themselves, it remained Word of God. St. Paul says
to the Thessalonians: "Having received from us the divine word, you have received
it not as a word of men, but, as a word of God as it truly is, that works in you
who believed" (1Thes.2,13). When Jesus spoke he was aware of passing on what
he had received from God, the Father: the disciples understood it. Jesus always
referred to the prophets, to Moses, to the Psalms, both when he proclaimed his parables,
as when he gave teachings. He always did so openly. The disciples were accustomed
to listen to the Scriptures that were being proclaimed every Saturday in the Synagogue.
Saying this prayer, Jesus empowered the word of his apostles, because it is a word
that comes from him and hence, from God. Because of this he said: "Who welcomes
you, welcomes me, and who welcomes me, welcomes the one who sent me". The Word
of God is the written word of the gospel and of the other writings in the New Testament.
It is the Word of God in as much as the successors of the apostles, the bishops,
passed it on to us. It is not always easy for the bishops to open their mouth to
give the Word of God, as it is not always easy for the faithful to see the authority
of God in the word of their pastors. Both bishops and faithful are sinners, and
therefore the action of the Holy Spirit is needed for both. Bishops and priests
will always be careful to confront their word with the Scriptures and the eternal
teachings of the Church; the faithful are to be ready to obey, until it is clear
that a word of a priest or a bishop is not according to the teaching of the whole
Church. Prayer is needed for both of them, so that God gives them the spirit of
wisdom, faithfulness and communion.
St. Paul describes the Christians as celestial citizens but pilgrims on earth, where
the enemies of the cross increase in number. Christians are to keep their eyes on
the apostles and follow their example. Many, even though they are believers, seem
to forget this rule and turn to follow the ways of the world and reject Jesus Christ,
teacher and Lord. The one who listens to the apostle and works his eternal salvation,
keeps his heart towards heaven where Christ reigns. The Lord is the one who belongs
to heaven and wants us to be with him already, as from now to enjoy. He started
to deal with Abraham as a friend, made a covenant with him, helped him to enter
in the eternal dimension. Life, here on earth, can be lived in communion with the
eternal and holy God. He promises Abraham, a man without a fixed abode, a land where
he can feel and be at home.
The promise made to Abraham is fulfilled with the coming of Jesus. Today we contemplate
him on the mountain where he went with his three disciples to pray. Here Peter says:
"It's good to be here". He felt that he had reached his final destination!
Jesus is the destination! While praying, Jesus is in heaven, even so, he is heaven,
in the presence of God and all his servants, the saints. There appeared Moses and
Elijah to represent all, to remind us of all the promises and all the great works
by God for his people and all humanity. Moses is the head of the people of God,
while Elijah is the prophet who brought God's blessings beyond the boarders because
even the outsiders, the pagans, enjoyed their fruits. Jesus is the one whom Moses
awaited and whom Elijah desired. Moses and Elijah are speaking with him "about
his exodus ": they speak about the way by which he was to pass from this world
to the Father, the way he was to lead men through it. The cross seems to be of great
joy for the three disciples. They have not understand, that Peter would not understand
the meaning of the words spoken. It's really good to be with Jesus, even when he
goes to Calvary and carries the cross to lead us all to heaven. It's really nice
wherever Jesus is present, regardless if that place is signed with the suffering
of martyrdom. This is the only good place in the world. Someone has understood it,
and won't leave anymore Jesus by abiding with him in prayer, that is, through the
offering of oneself to the Father. Is this understood by all Christians? There are
those who understand it, but then forget all about it: among these, there am also
me. Would there be someone to remind me? Would you remind me?
Not only Peter opens his mouth to express his joy, but God himself from the depth
of heaven, through the cloud, speaks loud his full satisfaction because Jesus was
to fulfill his love to all through "his exodus". The Father manifests
Jesus "his son", his eternal love, and therefore his joy, as Isaac was
the joy of Abraham. We can understand what he himself says: "listen to him"!
We whom wish to reach our place to stay there for ever, we are to open our ears
to listen to the Son, and open our hearts to keep and make present every word of
his. It is the commitment of this Lent.