SCRIPTURE
MARK 9:1-6
The Transfiguration of Jesus
After six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John and led them up a high mountain apart by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no fuller on earth could bleach them.
Then Elijah appeared to them along with Moses, and they were conversing with Jesus. Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, “Rabbi, it is good that we are here! Let us make three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” He hardly knew what to say, they were so terrified. Then a cloud came, casting a shadow over them then from the cloud came a voice, “This is my beloved Son. “Listen to him.” Suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone but Jesus alone with them.
TRANSFIGURATION OF JESUS
REFLECTION
Jesus took his posse, Peter, James and John, up a tall mountain to pray. It is interesting that Jesus has his own support group. Maybe you have close friends that share the same faith and you pray together. Nobody gets to heaven by themselves.
Transfigured is an interesting word. It is simpler than saying his appearance changed but that is what it means. Jesus has been with his apostles for three years and they have seen His works but now there is a special affirmation of who Jesus is by no other than God the Father. “This is my beloved Son, listen to Him”
Elijah, the Prophet and Moses, the lawgiver, of the Old Testament appeared with Jesus who is the fulfilment of Old Testament prophecy and law. Jesus shares with Elijah and Moses the fulfillment of their work as Jesus prepares for his last journey on Earth to Jerusalem where He will suffer, die and rise again, freeing all mankind from sin and death as foretold by the Prophets.
This bible verse in Chapter 9 begins, “After six days.” Six days after what? Well, we have to go back to chapter 8 and find that Jesus has told his disciple he was going to Jerusalem to suffer and die. Jesus rebuked Peter as an obstacle for opposing such an idea. That revelation of a Messiah that must suffer must have been a devastating blow to those who expected an earthly kingdom.
After that grim news, Jesus knowing humanity the way he does decides to bolster the leadership of his apostles with a special vision, “This is my beloved Son, listen to Him” Now that heir faith is affirmed they can bolster the other apostles if and when their faith may waver.
We need to face truth that sometimes just doesn’t make much sense to us. But we need to trust in God who never gives us more than we can handle, in Jesus Christ the Lord.
SCRIPTURE
MARK 9:14-29
The Healing of a Boy with a Demon
When they came to the disciples they saw a large crowd around them and scribes arguing with them.
Immediately on seeing him, the whole crowd was utterly amazed. They ran up to him and greeted him.
He asked them, “What are you arguing about with them?” Someone from the crowd answered him, “Teacher, I have brought to you my son possessed by a mute spirit. Wherever it seizes him, it throws him down; he foams at the mouth, grinds his teeth, and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive it out, but they were unable to do so.
He said to them in reply, “O faithless generation, how long will I be with you? How long will I endure you? Bring him to me.” They brought the boy to him. And when he saw him, the spirit immediately threw the boy into convulsions. As he fell to the ground, he began to roll around and foam at the mouth.
Then he questioned his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” He replied, “Since childhood. It has often thrown him into fire and into water to kill him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.”
Jesus said to him, “If you can!’ Everything is possible to one who has faith. ”Then the boy’s father cried out, “I do believe, help my unbelief!” Jesus, on seeing a crowd rapidly gathering, rebuked the unclean spirit and said to it, “Mute and deaf spirit, I command you: come out of him and never enter him again!” Shouting and throwing the boy into convulsions, it came out. He became like a corpse, which caused many to say, “He is dead!”
But Jesus took him by the hand, raised him, and he stood up. When he entered the house, his disciples asked him in private, “Why could we not drive it out?” He said to them, “This kind can only come out through prayer.”
EVERYTHING IS POSSIBLE TO ONE WHO HAS FAITH
REFLECTION
I place myself in the large crowd watching the father of the possessed son who is frustrated that Jesus’ disciples could not cure him. I too wonder why, can Jesus give his authority to others, what will Jesus do or say next? I can’t say that I am any more trusting and believing than the next person in the crowd.
Jesus addresses the crowd, ““O faithless generation, how long will I be with you? How long will I endure you?
That hurts a lot. Is my faith really that weak? Immediately when the son is brought to Jesus, the boy is thrown into convulsions. That’s not a good sign. Has Jesus made matters worse?
But the father has not given up. He has a sliver of faith left. He says to Jesus, “But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” Jesus rightly takes exception to this plea. What do you mean if I can? “Everything is possible to one who has faith. What kind of faith is Jesus talking about? How do I get this faith?
The disciples ask Jesus “Why could we not drive it out?” He said to them, “This kind can only come out through prayer.” There we have the answer. Prayer. Prayer. Prayer. Faith is a gift of the Father. We need to pray for it. Our faith can become weak and lead to stumbling and falls. Sometimes even separation from our Father in heaven
By the gift of faith, the Holy Spirit enables us to enter into relationship with God here on earth. After death we call that relationship, eternal life. The disciples of Christ must not only keep the faith and live it, but also confidently spread it by their witness.
SCRIPTURE
MARK 9:33-37
The Greatest in the Kingdom
They came to Capernaum and, once inside the house, he began to ask them, “What were you arguing about on the way? But they remained silent. They had been discussing among themselves on the way who was the greatest. Then he sat down, called the Twelve, and said to them, “If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.
Taking a child he placed it in their midst, and putting his arms around it he said to them, “Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not me but the One who sent me.”
WHOEVER RECEIVES A CHILD IN MY NAME
RECEIVES ME
REFLECTION
Jesus notices his apostles arguing about something. Of course he knows what it is; He knows everything even what is hidden. Can’t hide from Jesus. He will catch us every time. Of course the apostles remained silent like the kid with his hand in cookie jar, who me?
Even the apostles felt uncomfortable about their pride and ambition. Conscience, you know. A gift to us from God….lets listen to it…really hear…and obey…Thy will be done! “I will put My law within them and on their heart I will write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.”Jeremiah 31:33
“Though He was God, He did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness;*and found human in appearance, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross Phillipians 2:6-11
“If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all. Service in the name of Jesus is what makes us great in kingdom of God.
SCRIPTURE
MARK 9:42-48
Temptations to Sin.
Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe [in me] to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were put around his neck and he were thrown into the sea. If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed than with two hands to go into Gehenna, into the unquenchable fire.
And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life crippled than with two feet to be thrown into Gehenna. And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. Better for you to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into Gehenna, where ‘their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.’
REFLECTION
Jesus is very harsh on anyone who mistreats a child or leads them into sin as He should be. We have the obligation to lead others to virtue so they may safely make it to their final resting place in heaven.
As parents how are we doing around our children, the language we use, the television we watch, how we treat our spouse? Children are listening and watching!
This Scripture passage may be filled with hyperbole (exaggeration) as some say. In other words, not to be taken literally, like cutting off your limbs or blinding yourself. After all, we are to respect our bodies the temple of the Holy Spirit.
But lets think about what Jesus is really saying. “Better for you to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into Gehenna, where ‘their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.’
Jesus is telling us Gehenna (Hell) is really a very, very, bad place of eternal torment. That means no end, forever. Jesus is telling us to avoid it at all costs. He hopes his warning, short of maiming ourselves, will lead us to replace vice with virtue before it is too late. Hell is not to be ignored or taken lightly. The Devil the great deceiver would have you think otherwise.
PRAYER TO ST. MICHAEL
St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle,
be our protection against the wickedness
and snares of the devil.
May God rebuke him we humbly pray;
and do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly host,
by the power of God,
cast into hell Satan and all the evil spirits
who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls.
Amen.
PS. You older folks like me may remember at the close of every Mass back in the fifties the priest would come to the foot of the altar and say this prayer before going back into the sacristy. I say bring it back, when has the world needed St. Michael’s protection more.
Bring back prayer to St. Michael the Archangel!
Yes the St Michael prayer is so important and helpful for us every day. Thank you.