Sunday, March 17, 2019
Second Sunday of Lent
Saint Patrick, Bishop – Optional Memorial
Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good that we are here; let us make three tents, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” Luke 9:33
Petrus begitu bersukacita, mungkin melebihi segala sukacita yang pernah dialaminya. Bahkan, mengatakan bahwa ia bersukacita tentu belum cukup untuk menggambarkan perasaannya. Mungkin lebih tepat dikatakan bahwa ia diliputi rasa takjub! Mengapa demikian? Karena ia baru saja diberi kesempatan untuk melihat secercah kecil kemuliaan dan keagungan Allah!
This is the Transfiguration. Jesus took Peter, James and John and they went up a high mountain together. These three Apostles had no idea what was coming. Most likely while on the way they were complaining interiorly, wondering why they had to go up the mountain. But the mountain is a symbol of our upward journey to Heaven. It takes focus and drive, commitment and resolve to go there, and it’s an elevated place, a place away from the ordinary occurrences of life.
So they were on this difficult climb up the mountain and suddenly they stopped in shock and awe. They saw before their eyes Jesus changed in a glorious way, His clothing being whiter than any white they had ever seen. And Moses and Elijah, the great Law-giver and the great Prophet, were there before them conversing with Jesus.
And what was going on in Peter’s head? What was he experiencing? He was experiencing a small glimpse of the glory and splendor of God. Jesus, who up until this moment had kept His divinity veiled, lifted the veil ever so slightly. And with the lifting of that veil, His divinity shone through brighter than anything this world could ever contain. And Peter, James and John did not know what to think. But Peter cried out that he wanted to build three tents, one for Jesus, one for Moses and one for Elijah! For within that momentary experience, he experienced the desire to remain there forever.
Jadi, mengapa Yesus memberi para Rasul ini pengalaman yang begitu singkat akan kemuliaan-Nya? Karena mereka akan membutuhkan kecapan akan kebaikan-Nya itu untuk menempuh jalan di hadapan mereka. Mereka perlu senantiasa mengingat tujuan akhir mereka. Mereka perlu menyimpan pengalaman ini erat-erat dalam hati saat menanggung berbagai salib dan penderitaan yang akan datang. Dan mereka akan menggunakan pengalaman ini untuk mengingatkan diri bahwa apa pun yang harus mereka tanggung dalam perjalanan mendaki gunung kehidupan tidaklah sia-sia. Sebab, di puncaknya ada kemuliaan yang begitu agung sehingga tidak ada kesulitan yang harus mereka tanggung yang akan terasa terlalu berat.
Allah ingin menyampaikan pesan itu kepada kita melalui mereka. Ia ingin agar kita merenungkan pengalaman mereka ini dan berusaha masuk ke dalamnya, sehingga kita pun dapat dengan rela terus melangkah dalam perjalanan ini.
Hari ini, pada awal Masa Prapaskah, renungkanlah kemuliaan Allah yang membuat segala salib yang kita tanggung tidak sia-sia. Timba kekuatan dari pengalaman Petrus, Yakobus, dan Yohanes ini, dan cobalah menjadikan pengalaman mereka sebagai pengalaman Anda sendiri. Biarlah kemuliaan Allah menghibur Anda, dan jangan pernah lupa bahwa inilah janji utama yang Ia berikan kepada semua orang yang terus melangkah.
Lord, may I be consoled by Your glory and splendor. May I believe in this glory and keep it ever in my mind as I press on through the hardships and challenges I face. You travel the road ahead of me and You will lead me on my journey if I only trust in You. Jesus, I do trust in You!
40 Days at the Foot of the Cross – Reflection Eleven – Living in Exile
Saint of the Day – Saint Patrick
Prayer – Breastplate of Saint Patrick
