Thursday August 6, 2026

Matthew 17:1-9

Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain where they could be alone. There in their presence he was transfigured:

We are midway through the gospel of Matthew and the tide is beginning to shift for our Lord from bad to worst. There is mounting pressure from the authorities and it seems after this event we do not have miracles except in the end with the miracle of the resurrection. Some of his followers are also beginning to question their decisions and actually many left. At one point he asks his disciples if they too want to leave? What is happening? It’s the talk about Jerusalem and what will happen there. The Son of Man will be handed over to the authorities and brutally executed. This is not sitting well with anyone.

So he takes the three to show them in a way that God is still in control of events. Do you know of someone who needs to be shown that? Someone who could use a sign that God is in control. Many times life has struck the code that holds things together and everything falls apart. I know you have been there in this space where you are barely holding on. If you are going through that phase now, just know it is a phase. God will calm the rough waters. Maybe come to Mass and pray with us. It’s not that the gathered community has figured it all out. But we have learned to see the little signs that transform our perception. Hang in there, it may get rougher but He is working on something for you. Sometimes I wonder how I survived it all. And for me, the pain was self inflicted and yet God did calm the waters.