There exists, beyond all human comprehension, a beauty so magnificent that even our most gifted poets cannot accurately convey its infinite splendor. A beauty Daniel witnessed in his vision (Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14) – a space where our God, in all his magnificence sits on his fiery throne surrounded by “thousands and thousands ministering to him” and “myriads upon myriads attending to him.” The flames of love must have been the most awesome illumination of light Daniel had ever seen.
Daniels visions continued though out the night – one can only imagine the grandeur he was witness too. Then comes the grand finale – the Son of man, Jesus Christ himself was presented to God – the Ancient One, and “he received dominion, glory and kingship; all the peoples, nations and languages serve him.” Oh my… the infinite majesty, the infinite love…even our dreams cannot take us simple mortals here.
But wait! It gets better!!!! All this magnificence comes to earth. This beauty is revealed to Peter, James and James’ brother John in today’s Gospel (Mark 9:2-10). Jesus appears to them, accompanied by Moses and Elijah. Today, the Transfiguration of the Lord, is celebrated – what a glorious day my friends! Again, words cannot grasp the beauty found within this display of heaven and we cannot grasp the fullness within. However, Jesus’ beloved disciples could not grasp it either so we are in good company. His clothes were “dazzling white”, I can only imagine the brilliance was beyond description. Appearing with Elijah and Moses he was uniting the old with the new. Then our heavenly Father appears and speaks from a cloud “This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.” Wow – that’s all we need to do, just listen to him, then Jesus in all his glory will take it from there.
So what can we do with these readings? First, we need to understand that we cannot comprehend this majesty, nor can we encompass this greatness within our being. We can never know the mind of God. We continually stand before a greatness so immense that we have no choice but to tremble with fear if we should dare look at it. A beautiful fear experienced out of a desire to unite with such divinity and love, yet knowing our sinful nature holds us back from full unification. Fear born out of a desire to melt into and experience this divine truth – yet, to steal a line from a move – we can’t handle the Truth. We can’t completely understand the Truth.
Secondly, we are called to surrender all and listen to him, he who knows us and has the power to draw us into to his divinity where our soul will find it’s rest. How blessed are we with our Catholic faith. The countless avenues towards God that are available to us are beyond measure – daily Mass, the Rosary, Adoration, the Bible, Newman Centers, Marriage Encounter, the Frassati Society, Christ Renews His Parish, Cursillo – the list goes on and on and I think you get the point. Just pick a starting point and let Jesus take it from there.
Just dive in and listen to him, miracles will happen in your life and the lives of your loved ones. You will approach the majesty and Jesus will draw you towards himself in the best way possible for you – his beloved. I have witnessed countless miracles in my life and that of my family. I know they are the result of my prayers and devotion to my Catholic faith. Just this evening I had a beautiful “God” talk with my 25 year old daughter, Brittany. She sat before me, beaming as she shared with me her recent experience with internal joy, a joy she had never felt at this level before. (Funny how I was feeling the same joy this week in Nashville Tennessee as I took the time to spend several hours in two different, and very beautiful, Catholic churches – praying for my family…) Then instantaneously, while she was driving down the street full of this limitless joy, a knowing came upon her; God whispered – “it is me who is giving you this joy”. Yes, a mother’s prayers were answered today, my daughter felt the presence of God and she will never be the same. She experienced a bit of the beauty Daniel saw in his visions and what Jesus has for us. God knew exactly how to speak to my daughter just as he knows how to speak to you. All we need to do is listen to him.
LIVE Healthy, LIVE Happy, LIVE Wholly LIVE!!!
Jesus I love You!!!
