August 6, 2011
Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord
As the visions during the night continued, I saw One like a son of man coming, on the clouds of heaven; When he reached the Ancient One and was presented before him, He received dominion, glory, and kingship; nations and peoples of every language serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that shall not be taken away, his kingship shall not be destroyed. Daniel 7:13-14
We ourselves heard this voice come from heaven while we were with him on the holy mountain. Moreover, we possess the prophetic message that is altogether reliable. You will do well to be attentive to it, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. 2 Peter 1:18-19
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." Matthew 17:5-7
Piety
May we be not afraid because we abide in your love and place that ahead of all else happening in our world.
Study
Today we hear eyewitness accounts of the Transfiguration of the Lord -- one of the five great Mysteries of Life recounted in the cycle of the Rosary.
Think about all that we have been eyewitnesses to in our lifetime. From our first memories of family and friends, we have also lived through national and international news. Rockets going into space and humans walking on the Moon. Peaceful election cycles and Presidential assassination. Wars and bombings to Paris Peace Talks and the Dayton Accords. Political stalemates around the world broken by games like chess and ping-pong and soccer.
Today we might be standing on the threshold of further economic collapse. Yet the words of the Lord to the disciples on top of that mountain ring in our ears. "Rise, and do not be afraid." It is a new day. Time to get up out of bed and face the challenges of the world head on with the Holy Spirit at our side.
Action
As reminded in the Just Faith graduate newsletter this week, sixty-six years after Hiroshima and Nagasaki, too many nations still embrace nuclear weapons. The newsletter urged that "we cannot stand idle and let this threat continue in our own backyards." How many times have we watched the mushroom cloud of Hell rise up on our television screens drowning out the silent screams of the thousands who perished on those fateful days.
As the world remembers the twin anniversaries of the destruction of Hiroshima and Nagasaki on August 6 and 9, let us all stand together and say "NO" to these horrific weapons. Now is the time for transformation. Let us not close our eyes and hearts and allow another Hiroshima and Nagasaki to happen one day.
There are activities commemorating these events being held throughout the nation this month. For a view of some of them, click here: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=129544250468870
Please add your prayers and study and action to building a a Kingdom on earth where such weapons will no longer be needed to calm our fears or threaten mutually assured destruction.
