RBWords

     At first sight there seems to be a considerable contrast between the gospel scripture for this Sunday and the first two scriptures.  The first two speak to a son being "handed over" to be sacrificed.  The gospel speaks of the powerful revelation on the mountain that tradition calls the "transfiguration."  Yet, the latter event occurs right after the first of Jesus' predictions of his passion and death [Mark 8:31-33], a prediction that Peter found very difficult to accept!  His puzzlement is understandable, but the event of the transfiguration may have been calculated to get his attention and remind him to "listen" to Jesus.  

     It is not difficult to think of the events of Jesus' passion, death and resurrection as something that happened in the past that we "commemorate" continually.  Yes, we do that at the Eucharist, but our baptism unites us with Jesus in his passion, death and resurrection, which makes those events a continual happening.  The transfiguration reminds us that what happened to Jesus can and will happen to us.  God entered into our own trials and suffering, and promises us eternal life if we are faithful.  The Gospel According to Mark makes it clear that even after the transfiguration the disciples remained without understanding until what Jesus predicted actually took place.  We have the benefit of 2000+ years of reflection on these truths, do we understand?  Are we really listening?  AMEN