A couple of contestants on this season of “America’s Got Talent” are magicians, and they are just awesome! One act has done a performance in which clothing outfit changes occur within seconds multiple times, and for some reason this form of magic fascinates me.  As I was reading the readings for today, this magic trick came to my mind because the woman goes through multiple “transfigurations” within 90 seconds.  In fact, in the many years that I have been Catholic and heard the readings for the Feast of the Transfiguration, I somehow get wrapped up in the image of the Transfigured Lord, like how I got wrapped up in the magic of the woman switching outfits; as if it is some magic act performed by Jesus.  I am like Peter who gets wrapped up in the moment of the awesomeness of what he witnesses before he hears the voice of God saying, “This is my chosen Son; listen to him.” Yet, this is not what the readings for today are about at all!

In the Second Letter of Peter, we read that Peter is reminding the early Christians that they have been told by God the Father that Jesus, as His Son, has a very important message to be heard.  Fortunately, the message was heard and what was taught in the Gospels was spread, or else we would not be practicing our Christian faith today.  Yet, unfortunately, the message has fallen upon so many deaf ears over the past 2000 years; and still falling upon deaf ears, even within the Christian community.  People may see the words when reading Scripture, or hear the words at Church; BUT they are not truly attentively listening, hence have deaf ears.  What is this message?????  It simply can be stated in one word… LOVE!  So much hatred, prejudice, and bigotry have happened because of the message of love falling upon deaf ears.

The questions I have are, “What are YOU going to do when hearing or reading these readings for today? Are you going to attentively listen or allow yourself to let the message fall upon deaf ears?  What are you going to do to become ‘transfigured?’”  I will admit that it is not easy to like somebody or like their actions, because of what they might have done to you.  I even have displayed hatred toward people because of things I have been through because of what they have done to me, but that is not what I have been called to do.  I have been called to love my neighbor regardless of liking their actions or not.  WE ALL are called to listen to what Jesus taught… Practice and teach love, and hopefully those who have deaf ears will eventually come to hear the message.  We are ALL called to be ‘transfigured’ so that we can spread the message of Christ.

Lord, may we have open ears to attentive listen to what Jesus taught us, and give us strength to continue to teach that message to others even during the tough situations in life.  We ask this through Christ our Lord.  Amen.