The Sunday Sermon Archive

Dear Friends in Christ,

Today's Gospel reading shows us Jesus' Transfiguration on the mountain. (Saint Matthew 17:1-9) Jesus had foretold His suffering and death in Jerusalem, and the Apostles were not ready to accept the literal understanding of what Jesus was saying. It is inconceivable to them that Jesus, The Son of God, should suffer and die. Jesus' Transfiguration before the three Apostles served to assure them that He is God and give them, as much as possible, enough faith to carry them through the darkest hour when Jesus truly died on the Cross of Calvary. The graces of God for us are, likewise, aids to our faith to carry us through the darkest hour when the Life of Christ seems to be lost to us forever.

God gives us graces that bring us joy and pleasure, but these are aids to better prepare us for the following trials and tribulations. Too often, we imitate Saint Peter and proclaim that we will do anything to remain in the joy and pleasure of these graces. We are ready to build tents and stay here permanently. However, this is not the way of God. In the time of pleasure, we are to prepare for suffering. In the time of joy, we are preparing for sorrow.

It is crucial to remember the moments of spiritual light in our darkest hours. These memories sustain us through the darkness, and the gift of Faith becomes the virtue of Faith through these times of darkness, trials, and tribulations. These times are the tests that we must pass through in our spiritual journeys of following Jesus Christ. God gives the grace; we must invest in that grace to further develop it and make it grow. It is in the exercising of grace that the grace within us becomes more vigorous. Faith must be tested so that it can become stronger within us. The tests that God sends us or allows to come to us are not designed to make us fail but rather so that we may overcome and succeed. Our failures arise not from a lack of grace on the part of God but rather from our not embracing the graces, nurturing them, and developing them to our greatest potential.

It is easy to say we love God when we have everything we want or are delighted. The test of our love is when we have nothing we want and are filled with suffering and sorrow. Can we say with as much conviction that we love God when we are sick, alone, and despised and rejected by all around us? It is precisely at these moments that the devils, the world, and our fallen natures question our faith and ask us: "Where is your God now?"

The "Prosperity Doctrine," espoused by so many false religions in our times, is a belief that material success and prosperity are sure signs of God's pleasure with us. This doctrine leads many into disbelief and despair. However, we should remember that God allows rain to fall on the just and the unjust alike. His sun shines on the just and the unjust alike. We do not have to look far or wide to see that material success is often combined with a lack of faith, morality, and true happiness. This inspires the familiar refrain: "Money cannot buy happiness."

Worldly or material abundance is often accompanied by spiritual scarcity. Spiritual abundance is often accompanied by material scarcity or poverty. While there are many degrees between these two extremes, we are not to allow our hearts to become attached to the riches of this world. We must strive to imitate Saint Paul, who in his teachings and life, demonstrated a profound detachment from worldly possessions and status. He urged us to use the things of this world as if we did not use them. We should always strive to become less and less attached to the prosperity of this world.

In moments of abundance, whether spiritual or material, it is important to remember that all things in this world are transient. The temporary pleasures and joys are just that-temporary. Suffering, pain, and sorrow will soon take their turn in our lives. This remembrance will aid us tremendously in being humble and enable us to strengthen our souls as God desires.

The same is true in moments of spiritual darkness or material poverty. We must strive to remember that all things in this world pass away. Temporary pain, suffering, and sorrows are only temporary. Blessings, peace, and joy will also take their turn upon the stage of our lives. It helps us to recall the graces and joys that we have received in the past and remind ourselves that they will return if we are faithful to God.

The blessings and joys of Jesus' Transfiguration were given to select Apostles to strengthen and prepare them for the darkness, trials, and tribulations that were to follow. Likewise, our moments of blessings and joys in the graces of God are given to us to strengthen and prepare us for the darkness, trials, and tribulations that are to follow.

The eternal and everlasting happiness we long for and desire will only be found in Heaven, where we will forever behold Jesus in all His glory.

May the Immaculate Heart of Mary inspire, guide, and protect us!

email: father@friarsminor.org Franciscan Benefactor Seraph Subscription Vocations Have you remembered God?

Would you like to make a donation?

Or, just log onto PayPal.com, after signing in you can send your donation to us at: Friars@friarsminor.org .

Blog with audio downloads

Return to Menu.

Return to Homepage.