Lent Week 1: Saturday | Matthew 17 (1-9)

Blessings, Duffy.

I am featuring MLK giving his Nobel peace prize lecture because it is the last day of Black History Month here in America; because I tend to think of MLK as one of those martyrs for the faith who genuinely made it to the mountaintop; and because I am deep in meditation on MLK's call to non-violence. Do I need to establish a position of total vegan pacifism for members of my potential new monastic order or could the order advocate for just war and take a side in some cases?

You've probably already heard that Israel and the US launched a joint operation against Iran overnight. I woke at 2:15 AM this morning with a premonition and quickly learned what was happening (see Emergency Note: Israel-US-Iran Armed Conflict). This war could end well and quickly. I pray for that outcome.

The Gospel reading today in both the Traditional Latin Mass and in N.T. Wright's commentary is Matthew 17:1-9, but in the Berean Standard Bible the story of the Transfiguration continues to verse 13. 

Wright's vivid commentary is very British and right on point. His conclusion and his prayer hit home:

"Usually, when this happens [when heaven and earth meet], it's the result of people taking Jesus very seriously. And usually, when it happens, it is in the middle of a time of great testing and trouble. So it was with Moses and Elijah. So it would be with Jesus. So it may well be with us."

Indeed it may.

With Wright, let us pray:

"Lord Jesus, Son of the living God, show us your glory, and give us the ears to listen to what you have to say to us."

Peace and grace.

Amen.