At the Angelus speech on Sunday, Pope Francis reflected on the transfiguration of Jesus and insisted that Christians turn our experience of prayer into a desire to bring hope to the world.
By Devin Watkins
Before the traditional Mary prayer of the Angelus, Pope Francis spoke about the transfiguration, as told in the Sunday Gospel (Mark 9: 2-10).
He began to ponder what Jesus had said to his disciples before taking them up the mountain. Jesus had just revealed that He would be sentenced to death, but would rise again.
“The image of a strong and triumphant Messiah is brought into crisis, their dreams are shattered and they are tormented by anxiety at the thought that the Teacher in whom they believe should be killed like the worst offenders,” the pope said. .
Broken hearts
With these worries in their hearts, the disciples follow Jesus up the mountain, where He is done before them.
Pope Francis said that Jesus reminded them that He would overcome death.
“His face shines and his clothes shine, and gives a preview of his image as the Risen One, gives the frightened people the light to go through the shadows.”
New point of view
The pope further reflected on Peter’s words: “Rabbi, it is good that we are here!”
He said that the apostle’s expression of appreciation is a reminder that the Lord never lets darkness have the final say.
When we experience seemingly endless trials, the pope said, we need a different point of view: “a light that deeply illuminates the mystery of life and helps us move beyond our frame of mind and the criteria of this world.”
He also emphasized that we must also climb the mountain with Jesus to illuminate every fragment of our lives through His victory at Easter.
Spiritual laziness
Pope Francis, we have been warned, must not allow our joy over the transformation to become ‘spiritual laziness’.
“We can not stay on the mountain and enjoy the beauty of this encounter alone,” he remarked. “Jesus himself brings us back to the valley in the midst of our brothers and sisters and in daily life.”
The spiritual laziness, says the pope, pushes us to rest in the satisfaction of our own well-being, while ignoring the struggle that others face.
‘Going up the mountain does not mean forgetting reality; “Prayer never means avoiding the problems of life,” he said.
Christian mission
Pope Francis concluded his catechesis in which he urged Christians to change our experience with Jesus and carry his light around the world.
The mission of every Christian, he said, is to “light small candles in the hearts of men; they are small lamps of the Gospel that carry a little love and hope.”
And the Pope asked the Blessed Virgin Mary to accompany us to welcome the light of Christ, to take care of it and to share Him with our brothers and sisters.