HOMILY FOR SATURDAY OF THE 6TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR I. (2)

HOMILY FOR SATURDAY OF THE 6TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR I.

THEME: LISTEN TO JESUS.

BY: Fr. Karabari Paul

“This is my beloved Son; listen to him.”

In the Gospel (Mark 9:2-13), Peter, John and James witnessed the Transfiguration of Jesus. Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make here three booths: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son; Listen to Him!”

Both Mark 9:6 and Luke 9:33 point out that Peter didn’t know what he was saying when he said this. Do we blame Peter? Obviously, we have reduced religion to emotionalism. The level of noise from the congregation with the vibration of the minister at the sanctuary determines what passes as a wonderful Church Mass or Service. In the end, nobody goes home with a resolution to abandon the old self of sin. So that we come to Church every Sunday displaying the vibes found at Night Clubs while we sleep off when the message of repentance is being preached. We leave the Church retaining the old creatures we are.

Though Peter said it without careful thought, the effect of his words put Jesus on an equal level with Moses and Elijah, by building equal shrines for each of them. Peter suggested the retention of the three in association: Moses, the law-giver; Elijah, the reformer; and Jesus, the Messiah. The booths [tabernacles] (the word normally means ‘tents’) would be temporary shelters of branches, such as were erected for the Feast of Tabernacles. How selfish the one thought, ‘It is good for us!’ What was to be done for the rest of the twelve, and for the other disciples, and for the wide, wide world? Sometimes, we forget that making heaven alone without others is never a plausible achievement. Our struggle is regarded as a heavenly race, but if you keep running daily alone, people may even think you are insane.
The cloud that overshadowed them is the cloud of God’s glory, called the shekinah in the Old Testament. From this cloud of glory, God the Father spoke. For when God draws near to man His glory is unveiled.

The Father declared Jesus as His beloved Son that we ought to listen to. Jesus is unique and the beloved Son. He deserves our special attention, so listen to Him! One might say that everything that the Father said came from the Scriptures. In Psalm 2:7, the Father says to the Son: You are my Son. In Isaiah 42:1, the Father says to the Son that He is One in whom My soul delights. Or, as Matthew 12:18 quotes the passage: in whom My soul is well pleased! In Deuteronomy 18:15, God the Father says through Moses the prophet about the coming Jesus, Him you shall hear.

This is another development of the significant theme in Matthew of the conflict between Jesus and the religious leaders. With these words from heaven, God the Father clearly set Jesus above the Law and the Prophets. He is not merely another or even a better lawgiver or prophet. Jesus is the only begotten Son. If the Father says, ‘This is my Son,’ observe the graciousness of our adoption! With such a Son the Lord had no need of children. He did not make us his children because he needed sons, but because we needed a father. If we should listen to anyone, we should listen to Jesus.

One would think that a voice from heaven would say, “Listen to me!” But the Father said, “listen to Him!” Everything points us to Jesus. In a world with so many conflicting voices, it is necessary to always listen to Jesus. Men and women have so many things to say about your life but listen only to Jesus. No other voice gives directions and none gives life than Jesus’s. Jesus provides the only voice that can make us escape the nothingness of life. Let us all listen to Him. GOD IS STILL ON THE THRONE. May God give us the grace to listen to your only Begotten Son always. God bless you and your household through Christ Our Lord Amen. Good morning.

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