Be not afraid

The WORD in other words (2017) by Father Florencio Lagura SVD – New Jersey, USA

Transfiguration of the Lord – A

Finding himself at the crossroads of his priestly and religious calling, Padre Lorenzo went to Malaybalay, Bukidnon for a sabbatical leave and stayed with the Benedictine monks of the Monastery of the Transfiguration.

There, the air was cool, fresh and pure. The ring of mountains, evergreen valleys and the rippling river nearby gave a vision of peace. Regularly scheduled prayer combined with work and study proved very restful. Meals, although simply were adequate and substantial. The monks went about in silence attending to their respective duties; the superiors — Fr Savio and Fr Adag — modeled kindness and availability.

While enjoying immensely the cool air and silence in the mountain monastery, Fr Lorenzo had ample time to think of the episode when Jesus, in the company of Peter, James and John, was blessed with the glorious vision of his transfiguration, and the disciples objecting to his and their going to Jerusalem. Peter objected most strongly for which he got duly and hardly reprimanded. The unique apparition they were privileged to witness consoled them. The vision gave them a glimpse of eternity where the past, represented by Moses and Elijah, the present as they saw Jesus, and the future glory blended smoothly together into one eternal now in the person of the Son in whom the Father was well pleased.

So powerful was the effect of the disciples that they, with Peter speaking for them, begged to be allowed to linger a while, even dwell literally in the glory presented before their very eyes. But, the Lord did not give in to their otherwise very reasonable request. No, he told them to go down with him to be with the people mixing in their lives’ joys and sorrows, then proceed to Jerusalem where the cross awaited. The disciples feared of their fate ahead of them, but they received consolation and encouragement from the Lord and friend who calmly had earlier said, “Be not afraid.” (Matthew 17:7)

The time came when Fr Lorenzo had to leave; his sabbatical was up. Although the monks extended their invitation for him to stay longer, even become a monk himself, the padre has to bid goodbye, for he had to keep his word. He had to go down from the mountain to where people lived to their in their troubles and successes. That would be part of the cross to bear. Encouragement came from the Lord’s words, “Be not afraid. I will be with you ’till the end of time.” (Matthew 28:20)