Jesus takes his most trusted disciples up a high mountain to allow them to share in what he knows is about to occur. It is a clear teaching moment in which Jesus hopes his disciples will grasp the truth about him. As the disciples stand by, Jesus is transfigured before them – suddenly bathed in light, his clothes become dazzlingly white. Moses and Elijah are standing and talking with Jesus. Together, they represent the Law and the Prophets. Moses and Elijah both experienced the close presence of God at a time in their lives when they were called to take a difficult path. Both also experienced the comforting presence of God on Sinai. In this scene of the Transfiguration, while in one way presenting Jesus in his divine glory, we also glimpse his genuine humanity, as he pauses to face the consequences of the decision to go up to Jerusalem. We read how he takes time out, calls aside his friends and enters into prayer. When we struggle with our decisions, when we feel afraid and weak, may we too seek and know the comforting presence of God.
The treasure is the kingdom of heaven. It is the prize that gives meaning to the present, and its fullest delight which is the joy that we experience when we realise that the treasure is ours, draws us into the future. The reign of God is the fulfilment of our deepest desires and our fondest hopes. Nothing in the world can compare with it, and that is why we are willing to sacrifice everything to attain it. The treasure that we find is really an extraordinary gift that is given. We need not work to attain the kingdom, nor can we earn it in any way. It is given to us by God. All we have to do is accept it. Solomon chose to be of service to others. In this he is a model for disciples to follow. We have discovered the treasure in the field; we have found the pearl of great price. What we have been given, we must now give to others. In giving we will lose nothing. In fact, we gain an abundance of blessings. All things work for good, and God is glorified in all. Such is the character of the kingdom of God.
The gospel continues on from the parable of the Sower that we heard last week. For all our good intentions, and efforts we will probably continue to struggle with some issues all our lives. The garden of our soul will always need a little weeding. These inner struggles will continue to call us to conversion and we will continue to need to call on God and allow God to be the gardener of our souls. Knowing the weeds and wheat within our own individual lives, can help us be a little more patient, or tolerant of the weeds and wheat around us – in our families, communities, our Church. Also, sometimes in the struggle to live a good meaningful life, we can be our own worst enemy in being far too harsh and unforgiving towards ourselves. The Parable may invite us to greater kindness towards ourselves and to leave the task of major garden work to God.
The readings for this Sunday call us to self-examination. The gospel describes various levels of receptivity, the willingness to allow ourselves to receive from another, to be influenced by another, perhaps even to be transformed. The more independent we are, the less likely we will be open to others and, consequently, less receptive to their ideas. By definition disciples are receptive to the one they follow. To be a disciple of Jesus requires receptivity, so it is important that we scrutinise ourselves to discover the extent to which we are open. To what should we be receptive? To the words of Scripture, the words of the liturgy, the words of the sacraments, the living tradition of the community. God’s word is sown in many forms and under many guises. It makes little difference who sows the seed. How will we receive it?
In the gospel reading, Jesus addresses God as Father which reflects the intimate relationship that Jesus shared with God. God is further addressed as Lord of heaven and earth, a title that denotes universal sovereignty. Jesus then appeals to the wisdom tradition saying that the hidden things of God are not revealed to the worldly wise, but to those who are dependent on others and, consequently, receptive. Jesus’ invitation is reminiscent of the invitation to submit oneself to Wisdom. He invites his hearers to take on his yoke, to accept the responsibilities that he will lay on them. If they do so, they too will be blessed with the revelation of God.
The cost of discipleship cuts right to the core of our beings, it lays bare the very structures of kinship. Baptism recreates us as children of God; through it we are given a new life and born into a new family. The bonds of discipleship are now even stronger than the bonds of blood. Discipleship requires our very lives. As disciples we can no longer put ourselves first. We must be willing to spend ourselves and to be spent, to serve others in the day to day unfolding of life. We may find such commitment very demanding, but that is part of the cost of discipleship. God promises that if we lose our lives in this way, we will really gain them. If we are unselfish in the way we share ourselves with others, we will be enriched through our generosity. If we spend ourselves and are spent in our service of others we will be filled with blessings unimaginable.
The demands of discipleship can be very difficult. The strength that is needed to continue on the chosen path despite its hardships can come only from God. Paul assures us that the gracious gift that God offers us is far greater that the transgressions brought on by sin. This gracious gift is Jesus Christ himself. The gift exceeds anything for which we might have hoped. He is the comfort that will carry us through our disappointments. He is the strength that will enable us to endure the misunderstanding and hardship that come with discipleship. We are called to acknowledge him before the world, and we are promised that if we do, he will acknowledge us before God. There is light even in the midst of darkness. There is hope even in the midst of suffering.
There is a lovely distinction in the gospel passage between disciples and apostles. Jesus calls his twelve disciples, commissions them and sends them out to continue his work. From then on, they are referred to as ‘apostles’. Disciples are followers, but apostles have been sent out. In our own lives we are called to accept the challenge of being apostles, not disciples. For we are not just followers, we have been sent out by Jesus to continue his work. To be a disciple is just the first step. Disciples follow a path; apostles take the initiative and forge their own path.
In the Eucharist, Christ is present, not simply in the consecrated bread and wine, but as the one who forgives, speaks, feeds, gathers together and makes present his offering on the Cross. In this fuller understanding of the Eucharist, Christ is present in the bread and wine because he is active in the Church. In the Eucharist he calls us to prayer and reverence. He also calls us to follow his way in feeding the poor and giving spirit to the excluded and in taking up our own cross.
In the gospel reading we are assured that God’s love for the world is so deep and so magnanimous that nothing is spared for the world’s salvation, not even God’s only Son. God gave/sent this Son first in the incarnation and again in his saving death. This Son was truly a gift from God. However, the Son had a sacred, all-encompassing mission to perform. The world, though created good, often stands in opposition to God and, consequently, is in need of being saved. It is this sinful world that God loved (v.16); it is into this sinful world that God’s only Son was sent (v.17).