Configuration to Christ

    

Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord

06 August 2023

 

First Reading: Dn 7:9-10, 13-14

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 97:1-2, 5-6, 9

Second Reading: 2 Pt 1:16-19

Gospel: Mt 17:1-9

 

Reflection

By: Bro. Emerson C. Maala

Pastoral Year Formation

Diocese of Imus

Tahanan ng Mabuting Pastol

Tent is a good place to stay – during vacation, on camping trips, or on a beach trip. And it is easy to carry. However, there is no such thing as a self-building tent. There is always someone who will configure it for it to be built. In the Gospel, Peter wants to build a tent – one for Abraham, one for Elijah, and one for Jesus. However, he was not able to do so for they heard a voice from the cloud and witnessed Jesus transfigures. With Jesus’ transfiguration, the disciples configure their lives and follow Jesus more.

Configuration to Christ is a life-changing experience starting from attraction, leading to conversion and mission that helps us to transform our lives. Allow me to share to you how configuration is a life-changing experience. The common theme of today’s readings is metamorphosis or transformation. The readings invite us to configure our lives by renewing them with Christ, and to radiate the grace of the transfigured Lord around us by our Spirit-filled lives.

Configuration starts from attraction. In the Gospel, as they were up to the mountain, Peter, James, and John were in awe as they saw Jesus transfigured, with His face shone like the sun and His clothes became white as light. There, Moses and Elijah also appeared conversing with Jesus. With this, Peter was attracted to the manifestations in the mountain. He did not want to go down anymore and even asked Jesus to stay there and he will make a tent for them. When I was in high school, I joined the Ministry of Altar Servers. One of the reasons why I joined was the attraction from the vestments and for my sister who told me that she will give me money every time I serve. When I was a child, my mother would take me with her to the church to attend mass. There, I saw the altar servers serving at the altar wearing a white robe. I said to my mother that I want to also wear a white robe, and she said that when I grow up, I can. The attraction instills in me until high school. There, I joined the Ministry of Altar Servers and was able to wear the white cassock. My experience in joining the ministry transformed me to deeply love God and the Church.

However, Configuration does not stop there. It leads to conversion. While Peter was still speaking, a bright cloud cast a shadow over them, then from the cloud came a voice that said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to Him." When the disciples heard this, they fell prostrate and were very much afraid. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, "Rise, and do not be afraid." And when the disciples raised their eyes, they saw no one else but Jesus alone. The scenes changed the hearts of the disciples, that it is not the comfort that God wants them to see but what Jesus would fulfill after. I was known to be a bully when I was in High school. I always tease my classmates just to annoy and make fun of them to make my other classmates laugh. I used to tease my classmate with asthma saying “Hinga! Hinga! Hinga lang nang Hinga!" until it became a chant in the classroom. However, everything changed when I joined the Ministry of Altar Servers. It made me realize that bullying and annoying my classmates are wrong. It leads me to deeply love and understand people and not to tease them or anything no matter what.

Lastly, conversion should entail action, thus, Configuration acts to mission. Jesus and the disciples did not stay in the mountain. They went down for there is a mission they need to fulfill specially for Jesus who will suffer in the cross.  From the attraction in joining the Altar Servers Ministry, to conversion and renewal of life to the Lord. All that configuration experience that I would call a religious experience leads me to enter the seminary. At first, I thought I would be an engineer. I would always say to my mother that I would become an engineer. “Nay magiging engineer ako.” However, God has always another plan for us. I find joy in the service in the Church. And this leads me to find that here is where my mission is. Transformations leads us to mission.

And so, let us configure our lives with Christ. Let us reflect in Jesus’ life and experiences, for our experiences was first experienced by Him. That is where attraction starts in the life of Jesus. Second, we go to confession and there, we will feel the mercy and compassion of God. And lastly, for our mission, we help any persons who are in need. With all these, we can configure our lives with Christ and renew ourselves.

As St. Thomas Aquinas would say, At His Transfiguration, Christ showed His Disciples the splendor of His beauty, to which he will shape and color those who are His. And so, let God configure our lives.

Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, You showed your disciples the transfiguration of Yours that led them to configure their lives and follow You.  May we also be witnesses of Your transfiguration by letting us see You in our daily lives through the different people we encounter. So that we too may follow You and be a true missionary disciple. You who live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen.