Listen to Jesus
The center of that complex story, traditionally called “The Transfiguration of Jesus,” is occupied by a Voice that comes from a strange “bright cloud,” a symbol that is used in the Bible to talk about the ever mysterious presence of God who at once reveals himself to us and conceals himself from us.
The Voice says these words: “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” The disciples should not mistake Jesus for anyone else, not even Moses and Elijah, representatives and witnesses of the Old Testament. Only Jesus is the beloved Son of God, the one whose face shines like the sun.
But the Voice adds something else: “Listen to him.” In former times, God had revealed his will through the “ten commandments” of the Law. Now God’s will is summed up and made concrete in only one command: listen to Jesus. Listening establishes the true relationship between Jesus and his followers.
At hearing this, the disciples fall prostrate and “were very much afraid.” They are overwhelmed by that experience of being so close to God, but they are also frightened by what they have heard: can they live listening only to Jesus, recognizing only in him God’s mysterious presence?
Then Jesus comes and touches them, saying: “Rise, and do not be afraid.” He knows that they need to experience his human closeness: the touch of his hand, not just the divine radiance of his face. Whenever we listen to Jesus in the silence of our being, his first words tell us: “Rise, and do not be afraid.”
Many people only know Jesus from what others say. His name sounds familiar perhaps, but what they know of him does not go beyond some childhood memories and impressions. They even go through life, though they call themselves Christians, without hearing Jesus in their heart. And without this experience, it is not possible to know his unmistakable peace or his power to encourage and sustain our lives.
When a believer slows down to listen to Jesus in silence, she always hears, within her conscience, something like this: “Do not be afraid. Abandon yourself in complete simplicity to the mystery of God. Your little faith is sufficient. Do not be upset. If you listen to me, you will discover that God’s love consists in always forgiving you. And if you believe this, your life will change. You will know peace of heart.”
In the book of Revelation one can find this passage: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will enter his house.” Jesus is knocking at the door of Christians and non-Christians. We can open the door for him or we can reject him. But to live with Jesus is not the same as to live without him.
José Antonio Pagola
March 16, 2014
2 Lent (A)
Matthew 17, 1-9