Tuesday, February 26, 2010

Matthew 23:1-12

Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying, The scribes and the Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses. Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example. For they preach but do not practice. They tie up heavy burdens hard to carry and lay them on people's shoulders, but will not lift a finger to move them. All their works are performed to be seen. They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels. They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues, greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation 'Rabbi.' As for you, do not be called 'Rabbi.' You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers. Call no one on earth your father; you have but one Father in heaven. Do not be called 'master'; you have but one master, the Christ. The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted."

This year marks the 155th anniversary of the apparitions of the Blessed Mother to St. Bernadette in Lourdes. On this day in 1858 the Blessed other is believed to have made her 10th appearance.

Sunday was Transfiguration Sunday.  Jesus took Peter, James and John to the top of the holy mountain.

        While Jesus was praying, his face changed in 
        appearance and his clothing became dazzling white.

The Transfiguration was not an isolated event in the life of Jesus but an event connected with his whole life.

There was an echo of his baptism: "This is my chosen Son."

There is a foreshadowing of the future (his death) because Moses and Elijah talk with Jesus about "His passage" [Jesus's passage], the greatest journey of all, from this life through death to the next life.

There is also a glimpse of Jesus' resurrection - Jesus appears with his face transfigured, his garments dazzling white in his risen form.

The Transfiguration if a moment when Jesus rises above the present moment and experiences all of who he is and where he has come from and where he is going.

Through prayer we can spend some quiet time with the Lord.




phylacteries: Scripture prayers [dedicate your first son to God; the Shema - Love the Lord your God with your whole heart, mind and strength; the 1st Commandment - I am the Lord your God, you shall not have false gods before you] written on parchment and worn on one's forehead and around one's left arm.

tassels: fringe on the ends of a prayer shawl [originally used to hang up a cloak by tying it to a hook]

reb: the Hebrew word for "great". "Rabbi" means "great one".