Dearest Goddaughter (LTR-94) - Get away with the Lord

Dearest Goddaughter,

Today is the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord.

Our Lord Jesus Christ desires to reveal himself to us. However, he often does not do it in the busyness of our lives because he knows how easily distracted we can become with the various things that preoccupy our minds. Just look at Peter in today's Gospel on the Transfiguration. Even though Jesus took Peter, James, and John away to a high mountain, Peter could not be still when he saw the transfigured Lord and then Elijah and Moses appeared. Peter has to do something, saying: "Let us make three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah," when all Jesus wanted was his heart and undivided attention.

When Peter finally settled down, he heard the voice of the Father saying, "This is my beloved Son. Listen to him." That was the important message that Jesus wanted Peter, James, and John to hear. He is the same message that Jesus wants us to hear today. It is also the same message that Mother Mary tells us when she said: "Do whatever he tells you" (John 2:5). This is an important message that many of us hear and either ignore, not take to heart, or are too busy and distracted to listen.

Jesus often retreated to a quiet or deserted place so he could hear his Father in heaven speak to his heart. If Jesus needed to retreat, and he is the Second Person of the Holy Trinity, how much more do we need to retreat to a quiet or deserted place to hear God's voice in the sacred silence.

Love,

Bỏ Phúc

P.S. These are the readings for the day: DN 7:9-10, 13-14, 2 PT 1:16-19, and Mk 9:2-10 (see below).

. . .

Jesus took Peter, James, and his brother John,

and led them up a high mountain apart by themselves.

And he was transfigured before them, 

and his clothes became dazzling white, 

such as no fuller on earth could bleach them. 

Then Elijah appeared to them along with Moses, 

and they were conversing with Jesus.

Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, 

“Rabbi, it is good that we are here!

Let us make three tents: 

one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”

He hardly knew what to say, they were so terrified.

Then a cloud came, casting a shadow over them; 

from the cloud came a voice, 

“This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.”

Suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone

but Jesus alone with them.

As they were coming down from the mountain,

he charged them not to relate what they had seen to anyone,

except when the Son of Man had risen from the dead.

So they kept the matter to themselves, 

questioning what rising from the dead meant.

If any parents would like to talk to their children about this special day today, I have included some information below that a child can understand and some activities.

 The story of the Transfiguration for kids

Here is a simple rendition of the story of the Transfiguration for younger kids. This is taken from The Luminous Mysteries:

Jesus took Peter and James and John

up a high mountain. And there,

He was transfigured before them:

His Face shone like the sun,

and His clothes became dazzling white.

The prophets Moses and Elijah appeared,

talking with Jesus. Then Peter said,

“Lord, it is good for us to be here;

if you wish, I will make three tents,

one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”

A bright cloud came over them,

and from the cloud a voice said,

“This is my Son, the Beloved;

with Him I am well pleased; listen to Him!”

The disciples fell to the ground, overcome by fear.

But Jesus came and touched them, saying,

“Get up and do not be afraid.”

And when they looked up,

they saw no one except Jesus.

Celebrate

Celebrate the Feast of the Transfiguration with your kids in these ways:

Read the Scripture for the feast. (You can do so at the USCCB website.)

Listen to the musical meditation from Veronica Scarisbrick, provided by Vatican Radio.

Pray a decade of the Luminous mysteries with your kids—the Transfiguration, of course.

Serve vanilla ice cream for dessert or a special treat, reminding your kids that Jesus’ face and clothing were whiter than snow (represented by the ice cream)

Information from: teachingcatholickids.com