Daily Gospel Reflection
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March 5, 2023
Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother,
and led them up a high mountain by themselves.
And he was transfigured before them;
his face shone like the sun
and his clothes became white as light.
And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them,
conversing with him.
Then Peter said to Jesus in reply,
“Lord, it is good that we are here.
If you wish, I will make three tents here,
one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
While he was still speaking, behold,
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.
As they were coming down from the mountain,
Jesus charged them,
“Do not tell the vision to anyone
until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”
Imagine standing in the shoes of Peter, James, or John on the high mountain. How would we handle witnessing something as magnificent as Jesus’ transfiguration and being promptly instructed by Jesus not to tell anyone about it until his resurrection on Easter Sunday?
It must have been a difficult secret to keep, but they had a choice: to do what Jesus was asking of them or to reveal what they had seen and experienced immediately.
We are often confronted with the same challenge that Peter, James, and John faced after Jesus’ transfiguration. We can either listen to Jesus, as God commanded on the mountain, or ignore the beautiful, though sometimes painful, plan that Jesus has in store for us.
I will be the first to admit that this is a particularly tough test for me in this season of life. So many of my friends are getting married and starting families, I sometimes wonder whether my vocation to marriage and motherhood will ever be fulfilled. But, time and time again, Jesus has shown me that his plan is always better than mine if I can only continue to listen to him.
So, what difficult things might Jesus be asking of us this Lent in our current season of life? Today, let us consider whether we are truly listening to what Jesus is telling us, as God commanded, or placing our desires ahead of his divine plan.
Prayer
Lord Jesus: You shared the joy of your Transfiguration with Peter, James, and John. But when they heard our Father’s voice from the cloud, they were terrified. You touched them and told them not to be afraid. Lord Jesus, be with me when I am joyful and when I am afraid. Amen.
Saint of the Day
Adrian was a Christian missionary who was martyred in 309 in Caesarea, in modern Israel, with a traveling companion named Eubulus.
The two were traveling to Caesarea to visit the Christian community there. The area was part of the Roman empire, which was persecuting Christians. When they reached the city gates, they were asked about the purpose of their travel. They frankly acknowledged that they had come to assist the Christian community in the city. They were immediately arrested, and the local governor had them scourged and thrown to the lions.
The relics of St. Adrian rest in the reliquary chapel in the Basilica.
St. Adrian, you left your home to support persecuted Christians, and were martyred for your faith—pray for us!