Gospel Reflections for August 6 2017
Recreation, Vacation, Restoration …and Transfiguration!
We are deep into the summer now as August begins. I hope for you it is a time of rest and relaxation, and for a lucky few, some vacation time as well.
Why do we look forward to vacations so much? Even if we enjoy our regular routine, whether at home or office, we also enjoy doing different and fun things. We even use an interesting word to describe these events. We call them recreational.
Think of that word …it literally means to “re-create” or “create anew.” That implies that what is being re-created is, well …in need of it!
After all, things wear down, and our own energy and spirit can wear down over time as well. A few days away from our usual daily routine can help us develop a different overall perspective that can come from a relaxing sun-drenched beach, or beautiful and scenic mountainside, or just about any great vacation place.
Today’s Gospel offers something that will never fade, never diminish, and never wear down. Jesus knows His disciples are about to enter a pagan world to bring the message of salvation to a sometimes-hostile world. He knows it will be hard work at times. He wants them to rely on something that will always be at full strength for them wherever they are.
Jesus took several of His closest followers to a mountaintop and was transfigured before them. No one today knows exactly what happened but the testimony of His disciples was that it was wonderful! They never forgot it and it stayed with them for the rest of their lives.
Jesus is that person that will never fade, diminish, or wear down, and you can receive Him every day in the Eucharist at this mass.
Jesus replicated that event by His daily presence with them in the Eucharist. He was the “daily bread” that would sustain them in all of their future adventures.
The very best “re-creation” comes from time spent with Our Lord.
God Bless!
Fr. Dave
please help
some of my neighbors hit on me constantly repeatedly during the week
and i find them to petsuavive to say no
does virgin mary ever say no in order
to take care of matters for herself
or family?
Mary is the perfect person to call on for help in handling temptation well.
I think we are very fortunate that we live in a peaceful place where we can go away for a few days without worrying about enemy soldiers or other dangerous issues.
Yes, we should never take our country for granted!
Thanks again, Father Dave, for your straightforward and meaningful homilies. I always enjoy how your interpretations are applied to the here and now. Hope your Summer has been a good one. It is always nice to “get away”, but I also think a benefit of doing this is not just to recharge, but to be more grateful for what we return to. No matter how nice or far the travel, I always feel very fortunate to come home.
I agree. While I love to travel, I also love to come home!
Father Dave, Jesus knew the most beautiful miracle to help us live a precious, faith filled life would be giving us himself in the Holy Eucharist so He might live in us so we could share His LOVE and life with others!!!!!!!!
Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee it and loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee you for giving us the gift of our Jesus of LOVE!!!
Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee, Franca and Dick
Yes, the Eucharist is the source and summit of our faith.
Dear Father Dave,
What you say is so true. Plus, with a vacation comes the anticipation and expectation, too.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Kathleen
Thank you!
Hello Fr. Dave: Your words today are about my most favorite image of Jesus. The thought of Jesus transfigured in dazzling white light always overwhelms me. I’m so glad Pope John Paul made the transfiguration one of the luminous rosary mysteries. One day by the grace of God we’ll see Jesus so spectacular in His glory like the apostles did on that mountain. In the meantime, I’ll let Him transfigure me as He wishes.
Miss you Fr. Dave.
Best wishes, Georgette Bremer
Yes, we have this Gospel to remind us of what awaits us!
Our recent vacation in Monterey was a welcome get-away, refreshing the body
and soul
The 17 mile scenic drive with it’s spectacular views made us want to linger
and rest for awhile, rejoicing at the glory of it all.
Without a doubt, the most beautiful 17 miles anywhere!
I love your statement of the fact that Jesus will never fade. His presence in the Eucharist is there for us always. Jesus brings us everything we need. Healing, deliverance and Eternal Life. He is forever with us and what a great reminder.
Very profound, Father Dave. I believe Rick and I experienced a type of “re-creation” when we traveled in Argentina, Chile and Antarctica for a few weeks in December on a cruise ship. The long trip away from the comforts of our environs at work and home shed new perspective on the greater world outside of us, trumping everything we knew and experienced as our “reality.” I felt a sense of having a deeper rapport with our Lord as I pondered the sea and the glaciers. I agree we all need a re-set to keep our perspective in check.
How wonderful to see those places. I can see why it would have been so transforming.
Wonderful message and reminder. Whenever I look at the gorgeous scenic views, even in our own neighborhood, (which we are blessed to live here) I always feel the presence of God in all his creation. It’s a renewing in itself even if I’m just walking my dog in the neighborhood. How blessed are we to have daily mass and Southern California? But nothing beats going to the Holy Land with you. Now THAT is recreation at its best.
I truly believe that Southern California is the very best place to live!
Father Dave,
I am still filled with joy, love and inspiration from our Holy Land trip June 2017. I feel blessed to have experienced our trip with you and Father Joe. Thank you for being part of our life journey.
I am looking forward to receiving and reading your weekly reflections on the Sunday Gospels.
God Bless you,
JoAnn Gonzales
I am so glad you joined the pilgrimage this year. I thought it was a great trip. I am glad you like these reflections as well.