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Soul: Good Spirit, is it a sign of weak faith for one to want to see that which they profess to hold by faith?
Good Spirit: "Blessed are they who have not seen and yet believe"; is Jesus' response to Thomas when he withheld his belief that Jesus was risen until he saw him personally. Yet, to wonder with joyful expectation, fits quite naturally with a person's desire, and hope, to share in the promised eternal life. One may be given glimpses of the glory to come, when they are not required as conditions for belief. They are often given to those who are expected to face great challenges in their service of the Lord. Understand carefully, the Deceiver never rests in his plan to scandalize people's faith in Jesus, especially the faith of those who must give support to other souls, who's faith has been scandalized. Consider now this gospel passage.
and went up the mountain to pray.
While he was praying his face changed
in appearance and his clothing
became dazzling white.
And behold, two men were conversing
with him, Moses and Elijah,
who appeared in glory and spoke of his exodus that he was going to accomplish
in Jerusalem.
Peter and his companions had been
overcome by sleep, but becoming fully awake,
they saw his glory and the two men
standing with him.
As they were about to part from him,
Peter said to Jesus,
“Master, it is good that we are here;
let us make three tents,
one for you, one for Moses,
and one for Elijah.”
But he did not know what he was saying.
While he was still speaking,
a cloud came and cast a shadow over them,
and they became frightened when they entered the cloud.
Then from the cloud came a VOICE that said,
“This is my chosen Son; listen to him.”
After the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone.
They fell silent and did not at that time
in Jerusalem.
Peter and his companions had been
overcome by sleep, but becoming fully awake,
they saw his glory and the two men
standing with him.
As they were about to part from him,
Peter said to Jesus,
“Master, it is good that we are here;
let us make three tents,
one for you, one for Moses,
and one for Elijah.”
But he did not know what he was saying.
While he was still speaking,
a cloud came and cast a shadow over them,
and they became frightened when they entered the cloud.
Then from the cloud came a VOICE that said,
“This is my chosen Son; listen to him.”
After the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone.
They fell silent and did not at that time
tell anyone what they had seen. (Gospel for the second Sunday of Lent)
Good Spirit: How well and true did St. Paul speak when he said, "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined the things that God has prepared for those who love him." But this extraordinary revelation has been granted to Peter and James and John for a specific reason. It is given to them to prepare them to undergo the "scandal" of the Cross. This word is carefully chosen, for in its roots, the word means -to ensnare, -to catch in a trap, -to trip up, -to cause a fall into entrapment.
Remember, the Romans used crucificion to execute anyone who opposed them, especially those who's leadership was an inspiration to others. Seeing their leaders defeated in such an ignominious way, was meant to scandalize, to crush any hope people had in their leader. But the cross of Jesus was not a confrontation with the Romans, it was the cosmic battle between Jesus and Satan. It was Satan's attempt to destroy Jesus, and to be the ultimate scandal against the faith and trust that anyone might have in Jesus.
Jesus has come into the world to bring you lowly people into God's kingdom; to give you a place in God's presence that is higher than the place from which Satan has fallen. With an unquenchable resentment, jealousy and hated, Satan vows to prevent this from happening. The goal is simple; prevent them from following Jesus, and for those who have chosen to follow, cause them to fall away and be lost.
Soul: Good Spirit, how can one as weak as I, ever hope to avoid the snares of Satan?
Good Spirit: You must learn discernment. You must learn how to recognize the cleverly disguised snares the Deceiver has set to trap you (to scandalize you). Through praying in this way, you learn to distinguish the Voice of your Lord from the voice of the Deceiver. That is why this way of praying the scriptures is indispensable. In addition to this, there is much wisdom to be learned from the saints, from how God's grace guided them.
We shall return to these considerations, but for now, set your heart firmly on this vision of the transfigured Jesus. Ask that your heart be filled with the joy of your faith and your desire to see the Lord face to face.
Good Spirit: How well and true did St. Paul speak when he said, "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined the things that God has prepared for those who love him." But this extraordinary revelation has been granted to Peter and James and John for a specific reason. It is given to them to prepare them to undergo the "scandal" of the Cross. This word is carefully chosen, for in its roots, the word means -to ensnare, -to catch in a trap, -to trip up, -to cause a fall into entrapment.
Remember, the Romans used crucificion to execute anyone who opposed them, especially those who's leadership was an inspiration to others. Seeing their leaders defeated in such an ignominious way, was meant to scandalize, to crush any hope people had in their leader. But the cross of Jesus was not a confrontation with the Romans, it was the cosmic battle between Jesus and Satan. It was Satan's attempt to destroy Jesus, and to be the ultimate scandal against the faith and trust that anyone might have in Jesus.
Jesus has come into the world to bring you lowly people into God's kingdom; to give you a place in God's presence that is higher than the place from which Satan has fallen. With an unquenchable resentment, jealousy and hated, Satan vows to prevent this from happening. The goal is simple; prevent them from following Jesus, and for those who have chosen to follow, cause them to fall away and be lost.
Soul: Good Spirit, how can one as weak as I, ever hope to avoid the snares of Satan?
Good Spirit: You must learn discernment. You must learn how to recognize the cleverly disguised snares the Deceiver has set to trap you (to scandalize you). Through praying in this way, you learn to distinguish the Voice of your Lord from the voice of the Deceiver. That is why this way of praying the scriptures is indispensable. In addition to this, there is much wisdom to be learned from the saints, from how God's grace guided them.
We shall return to these considerations, but for now, set your heart firmly on this vision of the transfigured Jesus. Ask that your heart be filled with the joy of your faith and your desire to see the Lord face to face.
.....................................footnotes........................................
St. Ignatius' Prayer as Conversation.
2 Corinthians 12:1-11
"The Lord said to Simon Peter: I have prayed for you, Peter, that your faith may not fail; and when you have turned to me, you must strengthen the faith of your brothers."
Brothers and sisters:
Our citizenship is in heaven,
and from it we also await a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.
He will change our lowly body
to conform with his glorified body
by the power that enables him also
to bring all things into subjection to himself. Phil. 3:20
"The Lord said to Simon Peter: I have prayed for you, Peter, that your faith may not fail; and when you have turned to me, you must strengthen the faith of your brothers."
++++++++++++++++++++
Brothers and sisters:
Our citizenship is in heaven,
and from it we also await a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.
He will change our lowly body
to conform with his glorified body
by the power that enables him also
to bring all things into subjection to himself. Phil. 3:20
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