Dear Parishioners,

We hear Jesus say to the disciples and us today, "Rise, and do not be afraid." The disciples heard God's voice and they saw Jesus Transfigured before their eyes and their reaction was that of Adam and Eve in the garden - they were afraid. They hid themselves and fell to the ground. Jesus comes to earth to help us be transformed from creatures who are ashamed, hiding, and afraid in the garden because of our sins to people who are called to be transfigured and enter the Presence of God. Adam and Eve hid behind a tree, naked and afraid. Jesus, on the tree of the cross, is nailed to the tree naked and unafraid. He leads us out of shame into a healed relationship with God. He shows us how to be courageous and pray, "Not my will, but your will be done." This replaces the sin of Adam and Eve who rejected God's will and did their own will. The disciples will learn to do the same.

So, let's consider this phrase, "Rise, and do not be afraid." The first word, "rise." "Rise" implies that I have fallen to the ground - how was it that I fell to the ground? Why was it that I hid from God like Adam and Eve? Why am I afraid of God? I think the first reason that we and the disciples fall to the ground is that we begin to realize how far away we are from the glory of God. In the Old Testament people were killed because of their irreverence in the Presence of God, but in the New Testament Jesus comes to dwell with irreverent sinners to bring them to the Father. He meets us in our shame, hiding behind our trees of sin, and reconciles us with God, and takes our punishment upon Himself. He shows us how to rise.

Another reason we are on the ground and need to rise is because we fear God and do not trust Him. We do not believe He wants us to flourish. Jesus tries to convince us otherwise. He tells us to rise and not be afraid because God has a calling for you and me. He tells us to not be afraid because fear only comes from Satan who accuses and despises us. Jesus, however, puts trust in our hearts and courage in our souls to journey towards God and bring others with us to heaven. We will have to fight the thieves of hope and the murderers of joy along the way and face violent storms, but the fierceness of God's grace prevails against all of the challenges on our life's journey to heaven. 

Jesus tells us "do not be afraid," for only the courageous make it to heaven, and that courage comes not from our own strength, but by courageously embarking upon a journey we do not have the strength to finish. The journey is only undertaken and completed by the strength that comes from Christ. You and I are not enough. If we think we are, then we should be very afraid, like skydiving by ourselves without training. That's not smart. However, Jesus is our skydiving instructor and he wants to show us the heavens, but by His grace we have to trust him and jump out of the stalled plane with Him. There is no other choice, outside of crashing and burning with the plane if we refuse to jump with Christ. 

So, what has you down with the disciples? Jesus tells you, "Rise!" He doesn't care why you are on the ground, just that you accept His invitation to "Rise." Then He says, "Do not be afraid," because what comes next will require every bit of courage you have and then some because it will take you to a new world and transform your life. Heaven is not for cowards, chickens, and couch potatoes, but for the adventurers who dare to face themselves and take God's hand when He reaches down to us. So, "Rise, and do not be afraid," for things are about to get real. We have an amazing journey of transfiguration ahead of us!

Buen Camino,
Fr. Philip