Genesis 12:1-4a; 2 Timothy 1:8b-10; Matthew 17:1-9
A king received two falcons and gave them to his falconer for training. Months later, the falconer informed the king that one falcon was flying; the other had not moved from its branch. The king summoned his ministers and sorcerers; none could get the bird to fly. The king promised a reward to the one who made the falcon fly. Several people tried and failed. One farmer succeeded! The king was thrilled; he asked the farmer what he had done. The farmer replied: “Your Highness, I cut the branch on which the bird was sitting.”
If we want to find our place in life, we need to get off our branches, we need to leave our comfort zones. Today’s readings emphasize this truth.
In the first reading, God tells Abraham to leave his country, his kindred, and his house, and journey to the unknown. Abraham experiences difficulties and sufferings because of this “leaving”; the result is a life of blessing and glory.
In the verses preceding today’s gospel, Jesus predicts his passion, death, and resurrection. Today’s text ends with his command to his disciples: “Do not tell the vision to anyone until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.” Matthew thus indicates that there is a connection between suffering and glory, between death and life. He drives home this point: the three disciples who are at the Transfiguration will be at Jesus’ agony!
It is not easy to leave a comfort zone. On the mountain, surrounded by magnificence, Peter wants to stay! But the voice tells them “to listen” to Jesus’ teaching that the way to life is through suffering and death.
The Transfiguration strengthened Jesus on his road through suffering-death to the resurrection. It strengthened the disciples’ faith on their journey of discipleship. God’s love will sustain us as we leave our comfort zones and journey through suffering to life.
What are the “branches” I must cut or the comfort zones I must leave to experience new life?
(by Fr Vinod SDB)