Fr Antonio Pineda
his Sunday’s Gospel reading tells of the Transfiguration when Jesus revealed his divinity in all its glory. The three disciples witnessed the radiance of Jesus’ face and clothing and they also heard the Father calling him “my chosen Son” (Luke 9:35).
Yet for most of his time on earth, Jesus’ glory remained hidden. True, the disciples witnessed his miracles but even so, it must have taken a lot of faith for his disciples to believe that in Jesus, God was actually present with them.
We present day disciples also need faith, not only to believe that Jesus is the Son of God, but that he is actually present with us. He is present in the Eucharist, every time and in every place where Mass is celebrated. To all appearances, the Eucharist looks like ordinary bread and wine but in reality, the consecrated Host and the Precious Blood is truly Jesus. He is with us in every way—Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity.
It doesn’t stop there. Jesus loves us so much that he asks us to consume his Body and his Blood. When we receive Communion, he is as close to us as he can possibly be in this life.
On Mount Tabor that day, Peter, John, and James got a rare glimpse of Jesus in all his glory. When you go to Mass, let him show you his glory. As the priest lifts up the Host on the altar, imagine Jesus as he was at the Transfiguration, his face radiant and his clothes dazzling white. Then kneel down in awe and worship him.