Listen to Jesus<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n
The center of that complex story, traditionally called \u201cThe Transfiguration of Jesus,\u201d<\/b> is occupied by a Voice that comes from a strange \u201cbright cloud,\u201d 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.<\/p>\n
The Voice says these words: \u201cThis is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.\u201d\u00a0 The disciples should not mistake Jesus for anyone else, not even Moses and Elijah, representatives and witnesses of the Old Testament.\u00a0 Only Jesus is the beloved Son of God, the one whose face shines like the sun.<\/p>\n
But the Voice adds something else:\u00a0 \u201cListen to him.\u201d\u00a0 In former times, God had revealed his will through the \u201cten commandments\u201d of the Law.\u00a0 Now God\u2019s will is summed up and made concrete in only one command: \u00a0listen to Jesus.\u00a0 Listening establishes the true relationship between Jesus and his followers.<\/p>\n
At hearing this, the disciples fall prostrate and \u201cwere very much afraid.\u201d<\/b> \u00a0They 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\u2019s mysterious presence?<\/p>\n
Then Jesus comes and touches them, saying:\u00a0 \u201cRise, and do not be afraid.\u201d<\/b>\u00a0 He knows that they need to experience his human closeness: \u00a0the touch of his hand, not just the divine radiance of his face.\u00a0 Whenever we listen to Jesus in the silence of our being, his first words tell us: \u00a0\u201cRise, and do not be afraid.\u201d<\/p>\n
Many people only know Jesus from what others say<\/b>.\u00a0 His name sounds familiar perhaps, but what they know of him does not go beyond some childhood memories and impressions.\u00a0 They even go through life, though they call themselves Christians, without hearing Jesus in their heart.\u00a0 And without this experience, it is not possible to know his unmistakable peace or his power to encourage and sustain our lives.<\/p>\n
When a believer slows down to listen to Jesus in silence, she always hears, within her conscience, something like this: \u201cDo not be afraid.\u00a0 Abandon yourself in complete simplicity to the mystery of God.\u00a0 Your little faith is sufficient.\u00a0 Do not be upset.\u00a0 If you listen to me, you will discover that God\u2019s love consists in always forgiving you.\u00a0 And if you believe this, your life will change.\u00a0 You will know peace of heart<\/b>.\u201d<\/p>\n
In the book of Revelation one can find this passage: \u00a0\u201cBehold, I stand at the door and knock.\u00a0 If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will enter his house.\u201d\u00a0 Jesus is knocking at the door of Christians and non-Christians.\u00a0 We can open the door for him or we can reject him.\u00a0 But to live with Jesus is not the same as to live without him<\/b>.<\/p>\n
Jos\u00e9 Antonio Pagola<\/b><\/p>\n
March 16, 2014
\n2 Lent (A)
\nMatthew 17, 1-9<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"