The Transfiguration

When I was a little child, it seemed easy to do everything Mom and Dad wanted. I probably cried a lot and in my infantile way, demanded attention and whatever I seemed to "need". They fed me, clothed me, kept me warm and kept me oblivious to the dangers awaiting me in the world outside their embrace. They knew better than I did what was good, and bad, and from day one, only wanted the best for me and my brothers.

Early on, however, I learned the word "No!" Somehow in the quest to assert a bit of independence, or perhaps as my unique personality started to emerge, such basic provisions from my parents were overshadowed by a growing sense of need beyond the basics. Defiance? The ignorance of the two-year old? The necessary foolishness of growing up? Maybe a touch of all. But my childish rejection of all that Mom and Dad were trying to provide for me never once stopped them from offering it anyway, sometimes more forcefully than others. Ever have to sit for hours, alone at an empty table, until that nasty vegetable disappeared from the plate? And don't try to hide it in your shirt pocket! Squished peas are REALLY tough to get out in the wash, let alone explain.

Eventually, lessons of life bring back a sense of balance between the need for independence and interdependence, one to the other. It is indeed good and most acceptable to take from the wisdom of the elders who have been there, even as our individual wings spread wider and wider. We do not lose anything in trusting those who are trustworthy, rather, we benefit greatly by not having to make the same mistakes that others have made along the way. We can learn from all those we are privileged to have in our lives, from parents to siblings, friends and even enemies. We can learn as much of what NOT to do, as what we should repeat again and again. We can truly be free in our lives, even as we say "Yes" to others and establish our unique lives as ones intimately linked to those around us.

Jesus shows us throughout his life that to follow the will of God is the only way to true and lasting freedom. It calls him to sacrifice so much of himself in the work of being purified, and as each event of his life unfolds around him, another lesson is presented, and learned. As his will became more and more that of his Father, Jesus was not only able to reveal more of God's presence, but also could trust that the very Life of God was his own. He revealed himself to be unique, free and worthy of our trust. And in so doing is glorified by the Father who was so well pleased in Jesus' trust in him.

The Feast of the Transfiguration this weekend asks us all to ponder the reality of our faith and the effect that faith has on our daily life. Are we still children, regardless our age, who struggle to find our independence by saying "No"? Or are we rather disciples of Jesus who are grown-up enough to admit that he has proven himself to have a wisdom beyond our human capabilities, and therefore deserves, and has earned, our trust. When we finally say 'Yes!", then it is that our glory will be revealed, not apart from, but because of his own.