August celebrates many saints and feast days including the Queenship of Mary and the “forgottten” Saint Bartholomew. The feast, though that overshasdows them all is the Transfiguration. If you gave it some thought, where are the “marks” in your life where you could say you were truly changed?
Our friend FrankBruskewicz has given it some contemplation and his view is oh so human and oh so real. I bet it’s close to what Peter was thinking!
Transfiguration
Wasn’t it just six or eight days ago
(We’re not sure)
You told us You’re gonna die?
What a rough, hard wood image that was!
Scar ‘cross my heart.
Catch my breath pain.
And now this?
Trans- dazzling white, white as light, electrum, gleam of gold -figure.
“Such as no fuller on earth could bleach.”
Breath-catching again; terrifying; awesome.
Who are You?
That the same Law and Prophets who each in time climbed God’s mountain
Has a meet and greet with You on Horeb now?
Do we dare use Yahweh’s same words?
“Why are you here, Elijah?”
See what You do?
Mix up in us God and human.
Who is God and who is not?
Who I AM?
Let alone the mountain – I tremble violently!
Weak! – As if I didn’t eat enough
For the journey You lead.
And the You I follow.
“Then (?) a cloud came…”
Nay, for me the world is foggy every day
With You.
“Let it be so for the present…”
“Then a bright cloud came, casting a shadow over all.
From the cloud came a voice…”
I thought I was trembling before;
Now I make the mountain tremble!
“This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.”
It will say we ‘fell prostrate.’
My legs gave out as if no muscle ever existed there.
No-choice-in-the-matter fell on the ground.
“But Jesus…
…touched us…
‘Rise. Do not be afraid.’
…No one else but Jesus alone.”
Soothing Balm of Life,
In Your eyes, all is right.
That’s what keeps me.
Down the mountain we go:
– The lame walk again!
– And, the blind see
the glory of God.
Glory be to God!
Frank (Bud) Bruskewicz 8.14.12
Frank lives in New York state and has two grown children. He loving cares for his aging parents and enjoys outdoor sports.
….or what about the view of John Rieping. Is Transformation always an all or nothing propositon?
“Transflagration” by John Rieping
What sustains candles as they melt away?
How do they feel as their being is spent?
The trimming of wicks and snuffing of flames
only prolong the doom of each servant.
Yet to just smolder is not enough
nor will an unlit candle ever earn praise.
To break the darkness candles must suffer
the appetite of an incorporal blaze.
But are the feverish hosts truly devoured?
Or only transformed…
John Rieping studied journalism at Drake University, earned a philosophy degree at Mt. Angel Seminary, and spent 4 1/2 years in formation at Mount Angel Abbey. His website is http://wambly.weebly.com.
Image: Mt. Tabor at Sunset
KathrynCunningham
Kathryn is a retired junior high teacher. A convert with a love for the Church she believes that its teachings have a more than viable application for today's world. She writes practical theological for the people in the pews believing that they have as much right to good catechesis as our youth and converts. Her writings appear on Catholic web sites and local Church publications. She has even been published in the diocese of Australia and most recemtly Zenit. Kathryn holds a Master's in Theology and is a certified spiritual director. Learn more about Kathryn at: www.atravelersview.org