FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK - AUGUST 4, 2023
Dear St. Martin’s Parishioners,
This Sunday we celebrate the Transfiguration of Our Lord. In the presence of his three closest friends, Peter, James and John, Jesus reveals his divine nature on the mountain. The body and garments of him who we acclaim as “light from light” shine brighter than the sun. Moses and Elijah converse with him who was destined from all eternity to lead humanity out of exile to eternal life. The voice of the Father and the Holy Spirit in the cloud fill the scene, and so the Holy Trinity reveals himself on the Mount of the Transfiguration.
It is fascinating to consider that Jesus’ divinity was by-and-large hidden from plain sight during his thirty-three years on earth. The Transfiguration is really the only moment before the Resurrection that he shows us who he is, not a human person, but a divine person possessing a human nature. Jesus still visits us in disguise in the most Holy Eucharist. In Holy Communion we don’t see him with our physical eyes as he is—the eternally begotten Son of God born man—but through faith we apprehend the truth veiled by the accidents of the bread and wine. Our faith in Jesus Christ sacramentally present in Holy Communion changes the way we see, so much so, that as Catholics we should have a different vision of reality. God transforms ordinary matter, things that we are very familiar with, so that they become much more than what they appear. Consider a couple examples of what I mean:
A human being is not just a member of our species, but one created in the image and likeness of God, having an inalienable dignity, with an immortal soul.
A baptized human being in the state of grace is not just a human being, but a temple of the Holy Spirit, a copier withChrist.
The church is not just a human institution, but the bride of Christ.
The Mass is not merely a prayerful reunion, but the re-presentation of Christ’s sacrifice.
None of these realities do we see with our physical eyes, but only through the vision of faith. The Transfiguration was a brief unveiling of the fullness of reality, which overwhelmed the apostles. May our faith empower us to live even now in the presence of that which will only be fully unveiled in heaven.
Currently our pantry is experiencing an unprecedented period of need. We have served over 300 families for each of the past three weeks. Last Monday was our highest non-holiday turnout ever. Please see Chuck Smith’s weekly update in the bulletin on the items most urgently needed. Also consider volunteering at the pantry as your schedule allows. Sunday afternoons and Monday mornings are the most labor intensive days, but it really is an operation that requires nearly daily assistance to run well.
In the Transfigured Lord,
Fr. Dave