[Pearls Ep 161: Preparing for Sunday.]
One-score and three years ago the Smiths went to Disneyland.
Hell didn’t quite freeze over, but there were reports of a few flurries down there.
Steve is something of a scrooge when it comes to Disney.
But the girls were just the right age for it (10 and 11) and Disney hadn’t yet gone full-woke. So, truth-be-told, it was a marvelous trip even if it did cost the better part of the GDP of a third-world country.
One of the many highlights (such as learning that giraffes have blue tongues – who knew?!) – was when we were randomly plucked out of a very long wait line for the newest ride, called “Soaring.” We were brought through the mousketeer-only areas, and let into the front of the ride before anyone else came in. The peek behind-the-scenes of how all the magic works was almost as good as the ride itself.
There’s something deep in our nature that drives us to want to see how things tick. That innate inquisitiveness is a gift from God, even if the enemy did use it against our great-great-great-great-grandmother, in a garden.
God understands this part of our nature (He created it…), and He satisfies it with Himself.
That is the whole point of Revelation. God inviting us into the depths of the mystery of who He Is, and who He created us to be.
Venerable Fulton Sheen repeatedly stresses this point when comparing Christianity with other religions – that only Christianity presents us with a God who announces Himself, tells us what He is going to do and how He is going to do it – and then follows through and makes good on it.
Continuing with that theme, Prof. Scott Hahn points out that the Transfiguration is a key to Christ’s Passion and Resurrection. It ties together the Old Covenant and the New. And it shows that Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection wasn’t Plan B – as in “oh boy, the natives are getting restless, they’re not satisfied with the loaves and fishes, I better come up with something to really dazzle them.” No way. Jesus is discussing with Moses and Elijah the plan that was in place from the foundations of the world. This is the plan of a suffering servant who would make all things new. This is the plan that had been steadily revealed to the ancient Israelites, as represented by Moses and Elijah.
The Transfiguration is a stunning example of God’s desire to have us come along with him “behind the scenes” – to be let in on His plan for us.
That same God comes to us today with the same desire. To bring us “behind the scenes” of our own life. As He said, “I know well the plans I have in mind for you—plans for your welfare and not for woe, so as to give you a future of hope. have plans for your success.”
Does God show it to us all at once? Of course not – that would be the Hindenburg of spoilers. Instead, Jesus invites us to draw near to Him, just as He invited Peter, James and John to accompany Him up the mountain for His transfiguration.
If we walk with Jesus, especially by spending time in Christian meditation and watching and listening for His promptings each day, we will find that He is bringing us “behind the scenes” and revealing the transfiguration He desires for each of us.
Lenten blessings –
Steve and Karen Smith
Interior Life
Postscript: Matthew 17:1-9
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.”