Be Dazzled

A Reflection on the Gospel for February 28th, 2021:
Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

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​Mark
9.2-10

Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach them.

And there appeared to them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus. Then Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” Peter did not know what to say, for they were terrified.

Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud there came a voice, “This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!” Suddenly when they looked around, they saw no one with them any more, but only Jesus.

As they were coming down the mountain, he ordered them to tell no one about what they had seen, until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead. So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what this rising from the dead could mean.
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Pause. Pray.

And then read more...

Wow… just wow! I must admit, the first few times I read this gospel, I was absolutely speechless. What a beautiful (And confusing!) reading. Can you imagine what must have been going through Peter, James, and John’s heads in these moments? Imagine being blessed by the Lord’s transfigured beauty while being in the presence of Moses and Elijah. Imagine being told that Jesus would one day rise from the dead. Then, imagine being told to tell no one what you had just experienced! After witnessing something amazing like that, I know I would have a hard time containing my excitement! I would surely want to share my experience of Jesus with all, and I’m sure the disciples had that same burning desire in their hearts. But, they did as God told them, even though I’m sure it must have been so, so difficult. It all sounds like a whole lot of amazing, blessed confusion. 

Although there is a lot to take in with this gospel, I can’t stop thinking about what a gift this was to Peter, James, and John. Jesus reveals Himself to them as the Son of God in the most radiant, dazzling, and glorifying way. I’m sure there would be no way to doubt the identity of Jesus as Lord after seeing such an amazing sight. Don’t you wish all divine signs from God were that obvious? They were truly blessed in this moment. Any wavering faith that they may have had in that moment was washed away by His radiating glory. 

But, because we may not ever experience the extravagant miracles the disciples experienced in our time on Earth, it’s that much more important to be aware of how the Lord is trying to dazzle you... right now... today. I know I’ve experienced moments where God is speaking to me through the prayers of others, and I see how they glow radiantly like the Lord. In those moments, I feel lighter than air and have so much joy in my heart because Jesus is revealing Himself to me. Though it may not be as obvious as white clothes and blinding rays of light, the Lord wants to be seen and known by you. He wants you to seek Him out so that He may reveal His blessings in your life. I pray that each day, I can look for the ways that the Lord has dazzled me.

Amen. 




Megan Noye
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