Jesus took Peter, James, and John
and led them up a high mountain apart by themselves.
And he was transfigured before them,
and his clothes became dazzling white,
such as no fuller on earth could bleach them.
Then Elijah appeared to them along with Moses,
and they were conversing with Jesus.
Then Peter said to Jesus in reply,
“Rabbi, it is good that we are here!
Let us make three tents:
one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
He hardly knew what to say, they were so terrified.
Then a cloud came, casting a shadow over them;
from the cloud came a voice,
“This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.”
Suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone
but Jesus alone with them.
As they were coming down from the mountain,
he charged them not to relate what they had seen to anyone,
except when the Son of Man had risen from the dead.
So they kept the matter to themselves,
questioning what rising from the dead meant.
My response to Mk 9:2-10. Jesus is transfigured and appears side-by-side with Elijah and Moses. Whilst they are together, God’s voice proclaims: “This is my son. Listen to him”. To me, the reading links Jesus with teh old testament prophets but then elevates him to the highest place by porcelaiming him as the son of God. It was the “Listen to him” that struck me. If you want to know God’s will for you, listen to Christ. Christ’s message for me is clear:
ReplyDeleteLove: The Great Commandment, as presented in various forms in Matthew 22:37-39, Mark 12:30-31, and Luke 10:27, stands at the heart of Jesus' teachings: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself." This emphasis on love, for God and all people, serves as a foundational principle for all other teachings. In John 13:34-35, Jesus introduces a "new commandment": "Love one another as I have loved you." This instruction urges us to mirror the love embodied in Christ by demonstrating selfless and sacrificial love towards each other.
Clearly, if you are on a journey to suppress the ego and elevate the divine, LOVE is the essential commandment. What are some other teachings of Jesus that can be considered as commandment?
Repentance and Faith: Turning away from sin and actively embracing faith in Jesus are presented as necessary steps for experiencing the Kingdom of God (Mark 1:15).I’m not into ‘Salvation theology’, so I interpret “Kingdom of God” before death as a state of inner peace in the active pursuit of flourishing for all. Recognising what God has gifted us with generates energy through gratitude to cultivate love, kindness, and peace within ourselves, which inturn transforms othersduring our encounters. “Kingdom of God” after death is the continuance of that which is divine in us. It is our place in the everlasting. Catholics call it the communion of saints.
Forgiveness: Jesus repeatedly emphasizes the importance of forgiving others, even those who have wronged us (Matthew 6:12, Luke 6:37). Once again, in my mind, gratitude plays a crucial role. Forgiving others is so much easier when we come to it from a position of strength. “No matter what the world is throwing at me, God, you have given me so much to be thankful for. You are my strength”. In that context, forgiveness becomes an act of gratitude or a “sacrifice” offered to God as thanks.
Serving Others: Following Jesus' example of humility and service, we are called to put the needs of others before our own (Matthew 20:28, John 13:15).
Prayer and Obedience: Maintaining a connection with God through prayer and actively living out Jesus' teachings are essential aspects of being a disciple (Matthew 7:7-8, John 14:15).
Christ's commandments go beyond memorizing a specific list. They involve immersing myself in his teachings, internalizing his values, and actively striving to embody his call tolove, compassion, and service in my daily life.
our response to Mark 9:2-10 is insightful and demonstrates a thoughtful engagement with the text. Here are some key points I appreciate:
DeleteConnecting Jesus with the Old Testament: You rightly identify the significance of Jesus' transfiguration alongside Elijah and Moses, highlighting his connection to the prophetic lineage and his elevated status as God's son.
Emphasis on Listening to Christ: Recognizing the importance of "Listen to him" resonates with the core message of following Jesus' teachings as a guide to understanding God's will.
Love as the Foundation: Your focus on love as the core commandment, drawing from various Gospel passages, aligns with numerous Christian interpretations.
Beyond a List of Commandments: You rightly emphasize that Christ's message goes beyond memorizing a list, encouraging a deeper internalization of his values and active embodiment in daily life.
Personal Interpretation of "Kingdom of God": Your understanding of the "Kingdom of God" as inner peace and pursuit of flourishing for all, while not universally shared, offers a valuable perspective on spiritual growth and impact.
Connecting Forgiveness to Gratitude: Your emphasis on gratitude as a foundation for forgiveness resonates with interpretations that view forgiveness as a gift offered from a place of strength and inner peace.
Here are some additional thoughts for consideration:
Diverse Interpretations: Remember that interpretations of Jesus' teachings and specific commandments vary across denominations and individuals. Engaging with diverse perspectives can enrich your understanding.
Living out Values: Focus on translating your understanding of love, forgiveness, service, and other values into concrete actions in your daily life and interactions with others.
Continuous Growth: Remember, spiritual growth is an ongoing process. Keep exploring, questioning, and deepening your connection with Christ's teachings and their application in your life.
Overall, your response demonstrates a mature and personal engagement with the text and its message.