Listen to Jesus

Today’s Gospel Text:  Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. 29 And as he was praying, the appearance of his countenance was altered, and his raiment became dazzling white. 30 And behold, two men talked with him, Moses and Eli'jah, 31 who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure, which he was to accomplish at Jerusalem. 32 Now Peter and those who were with him were heavy with sleep, and when they wakened they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. 33 And as the men were parting from him, Peter said to Jesus, "Master, it is well that we are here; let us make three booths, one for you and one for Moses and one for Eli'jah" - not knowing what he said. 34 As he said this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. 35 And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, "This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!" 36 And when the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silence and told no one in those days anything of what they had seen. Luke 9:28-36

Reflection: It is a normal trend among most Christians to go by the scripture; Sola Scriptura, i.e. by the written word of God and nothing more and nothing less.

Yet among these are those who may claim to go purely by the word and in many aspects of their interpretation may have their own additional  sources to go by.

Then there are some Christians who are Christians only for name sake, who prefer to listen to themselves and make their own judgments about things and will have their own world view which is contrary to the faith.

Yet these may fulfill their Christian obligations either out of pure habit or a false fear of God or could it be a fear of being ostracized from a Christian community.

Surprisingly they will even teach the adherents of the Christ doctrine what to do and what not to do.

Just as the protestants go by the written word of God, likewise Catholics would go purely by what they have inherited from their parents and would listen to men and women authorized to preach.

Some will diligently study the word of God in the light of sound tradition and magisterium which serves these two pillars of faith.

Are we really doing the right thing in all these things by going by these routine acts, the way we go about?

If the starting point of our action is not sowed in obedience to God then all our actions can be wrong and mislead us?

The key issue is listening to the living Jesus who is with us in the power of the Holy Spirit: "This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!" (vs. 35)

Some of us may be actually practicing this injunction from God without knowing it. Aware of it we need to strengthen this grace in us while studying the things of God or while getting immersed in the sound teachings of the Church.

Prayer: Teach me to do thy will, for thou art my God! Let thy good spirit lead me on a level path! Ps 143:10

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Divine Instructions

Scripture/Bible:  That very day two of them were going to a village named Emma'us, about seven miles from Jerusalem, 14 and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. 15 While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. 16 But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. 17 And he said to them, "What is this conversation which you are holding with each other as you walk?" And they stood still, looking sad. 18 Then one of them, named Cle'opas, answered him, "Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?" 19 And he said to them, "What things?" And they said to him, "Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 20 and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. 21 But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since this happened. 22 Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning 23 and did not find his body; and they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. 24 Some of those who were with us went to the tomb, and found it just as the women had said; but him they did not see." 25 And he said to them, "O foolish men, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?" 27 And beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. Luke 24:13-27

Reflection:  What could they have been talking among themselves? Is it the sad event and the suffering that Jesus went through or they may have been discussing from a depressive state having lost someone whom they looked up to as their savior?

In reality it is a post resurrection scene; an event that has made them bewildered and compelled them to discuss; what could this be; visions of Angels, missing body and appearances? There are more in a state of shock and in a dilemma on what to believe.

Yet they did not have conclusive evidence to base their thoughts on anything that is conclusive and concrete. Neither were they on any sort of sure foundation when they were discussing things.

Human nature seeks logic and a sound reason but they deceiving themselves through ill-conceived rationalization is a different question altogether.  To find logic and meaning to life and the things of life is intrinsic to human nature.
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Hence, maybe, they were discussing in order to arrive at some degree of sanity concerning their faith in the man whom they once followed with all their hearts and mind.

The only one who can instruct us in the divine is the risen Jesus and his Spirit, who subsequently also works through the Church, both visible and invisible. 

Allow Jesus in a concrete way to answer the many queries in our heart and mind and he will teach you beautifully because he knows how you think and what will convince you easily. The disciple did that unknowingly and reaped a bounty of wisdom that will surely lead them into eternity. 

Prayer:  Lord, you will instruct me and teach me in the way I should go; (cfr. Ps 32:8)

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us