A Faith-filled Weekend!

This weekend as we look at the liturgical calendar and our readings at Mass we are given hope and faith. On August 6, the Church celebrates the Feast of the Transfiguration. It happened on Mount Tabor, where Jesus took his close disciples: Peter, James, and John. While they were there, Jesus was transfigured before them and he was seen conversing with Moses and Elijah. That was a glimpse of the glory that is to come. As one commentary states, "Christ's Tabor radiance is a kind of mirror in which we glimpse the glory that God wills to give his friends. The resplendence of the Transfiguration reveals the fullness of life destined to be ours" (Magnificat, 86). We live in a world where there is joy and sadness, accomplishments and struggles, but one thing is certain, there is a better place that awaits us and God gives us a glimpse because we live in hope and faith. In the gospel for this weekend, Matthew 14:22-33, Jesus comes out on the water to the disciples in the midst of a storm. Our Lord calms their fears by sayings, "Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid." Then, going a little further, Peter says that if it is you Lord, command me to come out to you. So the Lord invited Peter and he gets out of the boat. When he realizes what is going on he becomes afraid and is on the verge of sinking, so he cries out to the Lord for help. Jesus says, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" Again, a message that calls for us to live in faith and hope. God blesses us with these great gifts and we need to pray for them each day. Pray that our hope, our faith will be strong and no matter what happens in life we know that we do not journey alone, the Lord is with us at all times, to calm our fears and assure us of the gifts of hope and faith. Have a blessed and faithfilled weekend! May that faith last forever!