From Father Jim
The Transfiguration is a story about the third theological virtue we receive in Baptism, the virtue of Hope. Hope is a driving force in our Christian lives. It walks us beyond the confines of what we can see in ourselves, in our lives, and in others. Hope is what refreshes us for faithfulness. Hope is an essential element in family life as well as in a healthy spiritual life. No wonder it helps us to trust in the promise of the two other theological virtues of Faith and Love.
In the Gospel story this Sunday, Hope breaks the bonds of the present moment in the lives of the disciples who witnessed the Transfiguration. They come to see Jesus in all his glory, and hear the fullness of God’s affirmation of Him as He reveals what the People of God already know and what was being revealed anew to them through Jesus, Himself, (the Paschal Mystery.) No wonder Peter wanted to stay there, as if this was as good as it gets! Yet, the Paschal Mystery to be revealed draws together the glory and sacrifice of Jesus into one grand vision of the reign of God among us now and waiting for us in even greater fullness in our lives to come. Thank God Jesus moves the disciples forward!
Eucharist is that transfiguration moment for us. We should not trust it less just because it may not seem as entertaining and spectacular. Jesus gives it to us to sustain our hope. It is why the Mass is our central act of worship. It is why we are sent from Mass into our daily lives to be the presence of the Spirit at work through us. It is why the Works of Mercy and the Beatitudes shape the basis for a self-giving and vibrant living of the Gospel each day. That self-giving and vibrant love needs to be grounded. For us, Faith and Love are held together by Hope, strengthened by sharing in the Eucharist.