On Sunday, in his Angelus speech, Pope Francis reflects on the Transfiguration of Jesus and urges Christians to turn our experience of prayer into a desire to bring hope to the world.
By Devin Watkins
Before the traditional Marian prayer of the Angelus, Pope Francis spoke of the Transfiguration, as reported in the Sunday Gospel (Mk 9: 2-10).
He began by considering what Jesus said to His disciples before taking them to the mountain. Jesus has just revealed that he will be condemned to death, but he will rise again.
“The image of a powerful and triumphant Messiah is put in crisis, their dreams are shattered and they are gripped by the thought that the Teacher they believed in should be killed as the worst of the wicked,” the pope said.
Broken hearts
With these concerns in their hearts, the disciples follow Jesus up the mountain, where He is transfigured before them.
Pope Francis said that Jesus reminded them that he would overcome death.
“His shining face and shining garments, giving a preview of his image as the Risen One, give those frightened people the light to pass through the shadows.
New point of view
The Pope continued to reflect on Peter’s words: “Rabbi, it is good that we are here!”
He said that the expression of appreciation of the apostle is a reminder that the Lord does not let darkness have the last word.
When faced with seemingly endless trials, the Pope said, we need another point of view: “a light that deeply illuminates the mystery of life and helps us move beyond our mental framework and the criteria of this world.”
And we, he pointed out, are called to climb the mountain with Jesus so that every fragment of our lives may be enlightened by His Easter victory.
Spiritual laziness
However, Pope Francis warned, we must not let our joy at the Transfiguration become “spiritual laziness.”
“We can’t stay on the mountain and enjoy the beauty of this meeting alone,” he remarked. “Jesus himself brings us back to the valley, in the midst of our brothers and sisters and in our daily lives.”
Spiritual laziness, the Pope said, pushes us to rest in the satisfaction of our own well-being, while ignoring the struggles that others face.
“Climbing a mountain does not mean forgetting reality; praying never means avoiding the difficulties of life, ”he said.
Christian mission
Pope Francis concluded his catechesis by urging Christians to transform our experience with Jesus and bring his light to the whole world.
He said that the mission of every Christian is to ignite “the little lights in the hearts of men; being lamps of the gospel that carry a little love and hope ”.
And the Pope asked the Blessed Virgin Mary to accompany us to meet the light of Christ, to take care of it and to share it with our brothers and sisters.