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In 2014, I am facilitating a 12-week interactive online course in contemplative prayer and action for priests with Saint Luke Institute. Please visit SLIconnect.org to learn more: https://www.sliconnect.org/product/living-god-program-contemplative-life-2/
In 2014, I am facilitating a 12-week interactive online course in contemplative prayer and action for priests with Saint Luke Institute. Please visit SLIconnect.org to learn more: https://www.sliconnect.org/product/living-god-program-contemplative-life-2/
St. Luke’s Institute
Feast of the
Transfiguration
August 6, 2014
MOUNTAINTOP
EXPERIENCES +++++++++++++++++++
Ø
In liturgy attempt 2 recall mountaintop
experiences that drove faith & energized lives of followers of J
DEFINING EXPERIENCE +++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø
What Peter, James, & John experience in
Transfiguration could B classified a rel exp
Ø
Most of us would agree that it’s encouraging
& fortifying 2 have our faith confirmed by experience
Ø
If, however, we define experience 2 narrowly,
prepare ourselves 4 great disappointment
Ø
For an experience 2B energizing 4R faith doesn’t
require 4 it 2 be a sudden and/or emotional matter
Ø
It’s 1 kind of exp & 1 that’s more difficult
2 certify
Ø
Gd & exhilarating experiences that give us
new vitality R often difficult 2 distinguish from what results after a great
ball game or a good dinner
Ø
A friend often says of last movie we have seen
that it changed his life
Ø
Possibly more trustworthy & inspiring
experiences R of a less dramatic character
LESS DRAMATIC EXPERIENCES
+++++++++++++++++++
Ø
For instance, we may have prayed 4 a long time
over some difficult issue in R life or someone else’s
Ø
& eventually, more likely in a rather undramatic
way, we’ve come 2 realize grace & human activity have brought about a
resolution
Ø
Probably not 1 we asked for, yet very satisfying
1 that confirms trust in G = worth all effort & time
Ø
Recognized loss of the position we prized highly
turned out 2B opening 2 something richer 4 us
Ø
May have learned R endurance of homesickness or
end of a relationship’s given us kinder understanding of others
Ø
Looking over series of R experiences, might have
reached some conviction about how passing pain & stress R prelude 2 a happy
solution
CONCLUSION
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø
We need 2 prize gd experiences, but not 2 expect
they’ll always B emotionally charged
Ø
& even gd experiences R not magic in their
effects
Ø
As we know from later accounts, Peter, a witness
of the Transfiguration, found it difficult to maintain his loyalty to Jesus
Ø
As we celebrate this feast we might look over
our past life and gratefully remember the good insights we have gained and
often taken for granted
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
