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His luminous presence
His luminous presence
Kneeling in front of the luminous presence of Christ in the Eucharist is a special moment of grace, healing, and transformation. Of course, receiving Jesus’ body in the Eucharist is the single most important event of grace in any human life. Remember the story of Moses. The Book of Exodus says that when Moses came down from Mount Sinai after talking with God "his face was shining/radiant" (Exodus 34:30). Just like the story of The Great Stone Face, when our desire to be like God grows stronger, we are likely to be transformed into His image and likeness.
The Gospel story of Jesus’ transfiguration on the mountain gives us the proper perspective of
what is to come even during our earthly journey, even in our uncertainties and ambiguities. Indeed, the transfiguration illuminates the Lenten pilgrimage of the Church. The tragedy of the cross is not thereby lessened but it is placed in the perspective of the Easter radiance. Through his death, Jesus has become the Lord of glory. The transfigured Jesus is the risen Lord who will return at the end of time. A voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him” (Matthew 17:5). Make no mistake. The same Jesus who went up the mountain with the disciples is the Son of God. The same Jesus who was despised, insulted, and crucified is the Messiah who will rise and bring life to the world.
During Lent, we are invited to go up to the mountain with the Lord and be face to face with God’s radiant presence. The Stations of the Cross is a wonderful way of walking with Jesus to Calvary. As the cross was brutal, so was the manifestation of evil, that is, the twisted cruelty of those and the condoning mob who condemned him to death.
Still, knowing all our darkness and wretchedness, or more precisely because of the hopeless misery of our sinful condition, our Lord comes to our rescue. Our Lord gives us the consolation of his presence. After the resurrection Jesus promised to be with us until the end of time. The transfiguration of the Lord is the gift of consolation in our desolation. Like Peter, James, and John, we prostrate ourselves before his glorious presence. Lent is such a time to kneel before the Lord and listen to what he has to say. Being in his presence, we will be changed. He will enlighten us inside and out, and our darkness will be eradicated, and we will find the way to God’s glory. So, how well do I emanate the radiance of my faith to those with whom I live and work? How can be a blessing to others like Abraham?
Our Lord understands our weakness and frailty. Jesus is aware of our miseries and sorrows. He knows our failures, dark secrets, and sins. Sometimes we may feel like an orphan lost in the vast expanse of the universe, without anyone to support us. But the reality is that He is always with us. He is always there for us. He never abandons us. That is why he invites us to be with him as he is always ready to be with us. He is truly present in the Eucharist and in our daily life. That is why nothing is more important than coming to attend Mass, taking part in the Eucharistic celebration.
You could have many excuses not to be here. But you chose to be here. As our savior truly present in the Eucharistic body and blood, after receiving the Eucharist, the Lord’s luminous presence is found in your body and soul. In receiving the body of Christ, we become one with Him. Yes, that is the most wonderful thing. Yes, let us celebrate the Lord’s saving presence, his healing, his forgiveness, and his love that sets us free.
Fr Paul D. Lee