The Joy of Love

During the week I was in Sydney and completed the preparation of two young couples for the Sacrament of Marriage.

While I was there one of the young women received the Sacraments of Reconciliation, Confirmation, and First Eucharist. As they have been preparing for the Sacrament of Marriage I have noticed rising excitement of this couple. During this week as she received the Sacraments of initiation and healing her anticipation became palpable.  God had ignited her faith and she was equally anticipating what lay ahead for her not only in her life as a Catholic but in her married life. In a very real way she had during this week a glimpse of what her life can be and of what God has given her the capacity to reach.

So it is with the story of the Transfiguration on the mountain. Jesus is transfigured with Moses and Elijah to show us what we can be. That scene lifts us out of our normal life as it did the apostles and allows us to see both where we have come from and where we are able to go. It is our story, that of the people of God, guided by the law and excited by the words of the prophets, going forward with confidence knowing that God is with us.

Naturally Peter wanted that situation to remain, just like that young woman, excited at her Confirmation and First Communion, quite possibly wanted that feeling to remain. However, soberly looking towards the future, isn't there so much more that is possible if we accept the moment of grace, allow it to strengthen us, and then go forward, knowing that God accompanies us in our journey of life. Peter, James & John descended the mountain calmly and quietly because they knew the impact of what had happened.

The Transfiguration changed them because it was an encounter with God who called them towards situation they did not know but they were given the grace to accept.

The Sacraments strengthen us for our journey. Some young people here with us this evening are beginning preparation for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. This is our sacrament of healing where we celebrate that Christ loves, guides, and heals the hurts that we create for ourselves and those that others cause us to suffer. This is part of our journey as Christians.  Christ accepts us in our weakness and helps us to understand and accept the faults and weaknesses of others. So healed in this Sacrament, we go forward in strength to follow our Christian life.

Last week Pope Francis was on retreat. Fr Cantalamessa, the Preacher of the Papal Household, challenged him and the assembles Vatican Staff that personally meeting Christ in the Sacraments is imperative for us as Catholics. He reflected on Pope Francis’ recent letter Evangelium Gaudium and shared that the Pope: “is not thinking obviously of a personal encounter that substitutes the ecclesial; he wishes to say that the ecclesial encounter must also be a free, desired, spontaneous encounter, and not purely nominal, juridical or habit-bound.  We need the Sacraments, and we need to approach them in a fresh way. Those who have been recently catechised for the Sacraments are the best to show many of us who received them long ago how they can change our lives this Lent.