Dear Fellow Disciples, peace.
The contemplation of Jesus' transfiguration, during our Lenten journey, has a very precise reason. It is given to us to contemplate the Son who in a short time we will contemplate hanging on the cross. On Calvary, if we don't pay close attention, we can think of him as cursed by the Father, as his enemies would think and expect. Or as a disqualified criminal as the Romans would see and think about the crucified.
READ MOREDear Fellow Disciples, peace.
The tempter's focus was always to detract Jesus from his mission. He knew that getting Jesus to question his condition as Son of God, he could push him away from the mission of restoring the communion between God and humanity. What he didn't know was that Jesus would never give in. He would never disobey the Father, because being one with the Father and the Holy Spirit, the plan and mission were also created and decided by him.
READ MOREDear Fellow Disciples, peace.
Jesus teaches solidarity with concrete actions, not with abstract discourses. It was up to the disciples to assimilate the message to practice it later.
The scene of the leper is typical in Jesus' life. The man on his knees declares, "If you want I can be cleaned!". This gives Jesus the chance to make public the desire he has in his heart. Jesus' desire is unanticipated by the leper's declaration. For in fact, Jesus desires to heal everyone from all their infirmities and doing so give back to them the joy of life.
READ MOREDear Fellow Disciples, peace.
Jesus' ministry is geared to spread goodness. His exhausting journeys and working days were marked by his service to those in need. That was one of many ways he attracted people. He was always available, and with compassion would attend to each and every one looking for his help. He refuses any temptation to return to a place and for a time for himself apart from his prayer time.
READ MORE