Gospel for March 1 2026 – Matthew 17:1-9
Gospel Reflections for March 1 2026
A happy ending story…
I wonder how all the wars going on now will turn out. I hope they end soon so people around the world can finally relax. That would be a happy ending.
I wonder how the elections later this year will turn out. The long political season has months to go, but I hope it ends with peaceful acceptance of the final vote. That would be a happy ending.
I just never like waiting to find out! Suspense is not for me. Whenever I pick up a mystery novel, I quickly read the last few pages to see the ending. This Gospel was written for people like me.
Today, Jesus lets you see the end of the story …your own story.
He takes three disciples to a mountaintop and is transfigured before their eyes. No one today knows exactly what that looked like, but we know the disciples were very happy to see it!
Shortly after His crucifixion Jesus rose from the dead. This was more than just physical resuscitation, but rather a transformation into a glorified body that could both appear and disappear and yet still join His disciples for meals. On that mountaintop, Jesus showed them what a glorified body looks like.
His teaching is clear. When you live your life in the same manner as Jesus you will have the same glorified life in heaven. You can look forward to a happy ending!
The first part of the story that is your life …is not finished yet. You write a new page each day with all the decisions you make. It is the story about what you say and do. There are still pages to finish. The good news is that you can start over each day with lessons learned from the day before.
After His Transfiguration, Jesus led His disciples down the mountain and back into the world of responsibilities, commitments, and other daily challenges. How you face these events determines if your story ends in your own glorious transfiguration. That will be wonderful to see!
Lent is precisely that meaningful time to reflect on how your story is going, and if you are writing it well or not.
Now is the time to seek the help you need from Our Lord…and ensure a happy ending.
God Bless!
Fr. Dave
Fr Dave,
Thank you for this encouragement to continue to learn & grow. I am 85 and I thank God that I still have the ability to see my faults and can ask God to help me combat them & do better.
Blessings,
Sherriie