Eyewitnesses

 

The Spiritual Waiting Room

Eyewitnesses

Transfigured     Coheirs

Confirm     Rise     Serve

Come Off The Mountain

Proclaim

(photo and poem by Kathy McNamara)

Scripture:   Second Peter  1:16

We did not follow cleverly devised myths when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we had been eyewitnesses of His Glory.

Reflection

The author of Second Peter is sharing the personal experience of the Transfiguration of Jesus. Can you imagine what that must have been like---to see Jesus, Moses, and Elijah totally transformed before you?

What an overwhelming event!

And then to hear the voice from heaven telling you that Jesus is the Son of God and you should listen to Him!

No wonder Peter wanted to set up three tents on the mountain! You just want to stay there for awhile and take it all in. Amazing!

After that experience, the three apostles (Peter, James, and John) were now eyewitnesses to the reality of Jesus. They now knew who Jesus really was.

Many will say that when we say that Jesus is the Son of God, it is just a nice story that we are making up. When you are an eyewitness to the power and glory of Jesus, you know better. 

Jesus, though completely human, is also divine. This was openly demonstrated at the Transfiguration and then confirmed for all of the apostles and disciples at the Resurrection.

When they came off the mountain, they were strengthened to proclaim the Good News of Jesus. As eyewitnesses, they could not be dissuaded by doubters. They knew the truth.

We are also called to be eyewitnesses today---to experience the Love of Jesus through our encounters with Jesus in the Word of God, the sacraments, and through the community.

We come down from the mountain of our intimate encounter with Jesus and let everyone we meet know the Glory of Jesus!

1. What do you imagine the Transfiguration of Jesus was like?

2. How do you think being an eyewitness to the Transfiguration affect Peter, James, and John?

3. What would you say to a person who told you that it is just a myth to say that Jesus is God?

4. How are you called to be an eyewitness to Jesus today?

5. What do you see as you reflect on Kathy's photo?

(scripture adaptation, reflection, and questions by John J. McNamara)