Clear Beauty
Saturday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Mark 9:2-13 - After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them. His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus. Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” (He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.) Then a cloud appeared and covered them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!” Suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus.
As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus gave them orders not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. They kept the matter to themselves, discussing what rising from the dead meant. And they asked him, “Why do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?” Jesus replied, “To be sure, Elijah does come first, and restores all things. Why then is it written that the Son of Man must suffer much and be rejected? But I tell you, Elijah has come, and they have done to him everything they wished, just as it is written about him.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“There he was transfigured before them.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
This event is a hugely important one for many reasons. It is difficult (almost dangerous) to cover it so quickly. But like the three apostles, we will only take a portion of its awesomeness away at the present. Jesus is transfigured at the top of Mt. Tabor. Here, Peter, James, and John see Him in His glory. Though they clearly don’t understand much of what is happening at this point, the mere sight of Jesus in His glory is enough to strengthen their faith greatly. They will need this new strength, as very soon they will come down the mountain and see the same Jesus dying on the Cross.
God chooses to give us “Tabor moments” where He makes His Presence powerfully and beautifully clear. These are great gifts. When they happen, we need to soak them up. But when God asks us to move from these mountain-top experiences back into our homes, jobs, schools, even sufferings, we need to carry these experiences with us as a bolster to our faith. Then, when we’re in the midst of hard times or dry times spiritually, physically, emotionally, financially, or at work, with friends, or with family…we must remember the beautiful clarity that God has given us and that, no doubt, He wants to give to us forever.
As a family, pray a portion of the Rosary together (very short if children are young) reflecting on the Scripture passage above. (Optional: allow a brief time for discussion or questions from children concerning their thoughts and prayer.)
Reminder for Parents: Pier is just meant to be a jumping off point. The real goal is that you pray & eventually use the fruits of your personal prayer as the content of your family’s prayer. Duc in altum.
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