Eldho Augustine csc –
Readings: Gen 12: 1-4a; 2 Tim 1: 8b-10; Mt 17: 1-9
The readings of the day invite us to reflect upon our personal encounters with God in our daily life. The first reading tells of how Abraham encountered God and trusted in the call he received. Abram is called by God to leave his home and kin and go to an unknown land. In an act of great trust, he obeys. He does not know what lies ahead, but he walks in faith.
We must also walk in faith, especially during our Lenten journey. His faith is a result of his encounter with God. The second reading reminds us that God is always present in our lives, giving us strength. And the gospel recounts the event of Transfiguration, when Peter, James, and John encountered Jesus in all his glory. They experienced the divine glory in the transformed Jesus Christ. The change in his face, which “shone like the sun” and his clothes which became “white as light” are a reference back to Moses’ appearance after receiving the Ten Commandments.
We do encounter the Lord in our daily life. It is through different people that we experience or encounter him in our life. They are our parents, teachers, and people young and old, known, and unknown. Jesus is always speaking a word through different voices. Jesus speaks the word of life, word of hope, word of forgiveness, word of mercy, word of beauty, word of generosity, word of courage, word of love, word of healing, etc. thus, we encounter him daily.
Let us examine ourselves with the following questions. What changes did the interventions of God bring to our life and our relationship with God and neighbours? What about our encounters with Jesus at prayer, sacraments, and the reading of the scripture? What are the implications of these encounters on our lives?