Transformed into the Image and Likeness of Christ - Family Reflection Video

In his book, The Gospel of Matthew, Pope Francis commented on the passage of the Transfiguration of Jesus saying, "along with Peter, James, and John, we, too, climb the Mount of Transfiguration today and stop in contemplation of the face of Jesus to retrieve the message and translate it into our lives."

Following Jesus can sometimes feel like we are climbing a mountain. We start but for some of us we stop and rest. I recall an incident during my initial year as a religious in formation and living at the base of Mount Anthony in Bennington, VT. Our novice master had us climb the mountain the first week we were there. I made it up a third of the way and rested while others made it to the top. Guess who was behind us on the trail? Our novice master. All he said was "are you tired?"

I completed my novitiate year, eventually climbed to the top of Mt. Anthony, finished 56 additional years of religious life, still climbing and hope to one day see the transformed Christ just like Peter James and John did.

St. Peter is telling us today that he was there on that mountain when he saw Jesus change in appearance. He is urging us to listen to him. What happened to the three of them can happen to us. St. Paul in his Letter to the Ephesians tells us how this can happen.

First, he cautions us not to model ourselves on just anyone. Choose wisely. Don’t live just in your head with words, thoughts. That is not how you learn about Jesus assuming you have heard about him and were taught about him.

Then St. Paul says something that some of us might find dismissive. Put away your toys. By this he simply meant that as child we did and acted as children however as adults we are being asked to be renewed in the spirit of your mind and put on the new self, the self that God gave you. Be righteous and be truthful.

The scene of the Transfiguration on that mountain showed followers of Jesus to be deeply moved but also terrified. There was a lot about Jesus they did not understand or about what the future would hold for them. It is no less true for us.

But faith urges us to keep climbing our personal mountains while remembering the words of the opening prayer at mass today, that listening to the voice of Jesus may we become co-heirs with Him.

• Father Leo's inspirational homily was recorded live this morning during Mass at the Father Peyton Center. Please view the video on our Facebook page. (You don't need a Facebook account to view.) 

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