The sunlit Sunday welcomed a large number of pilgrims at Mary Help of Christians. The largest gathering was at the central pilgrimage Mass, which was celebrated at 10 a.m. in the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians by the rector of the shrine, Dr. Fr. Robert Bahčič. In his sermon, he spoke about today’s Word of God:
The first reading wants to show us, in a deeper way, the prior explanation of Jesus’ transfiguration and suffering. In Abraham’s obedience, he is called to leave everything: his land, his father’s house, his relatives, and to embark on a journey, and because of this complete obedience, he will receive a blessing. The complete surrender, following Abraham’s example, will be fulfilled in the Messiah, in Jesus Christ.
Apostle Paul, in the second reading, instructs Timothy: “Share in suffering for the gospel.” This is about a conscious following of Christ, the suffering and risen one.
Apostle Paul understood well that he must suffer for the Lord, as we read immediately after Paul’s conversion in the Acts of the Apostles: “I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” (Acts 9:16) And this is what every generation must understand, including us, that suffering is part of the transfiguration.
What did the disciples and other people see in Jesus? On the outside, he was no different: they recognized his voice, appearance, where he was from. The true Jesus, the real one, cannot be seen with ordinary eyes, in normal light. This is the fruit of sudden revelation, the fruit of a gift. Even in our everyday Christian life, something must change radically, like with the three disciples, for us to truly recognize our Savior.
The three disciples are privileged witnesses of Jesus’ glory and his suffering. The Father clearly revealed to them who Jesus is: “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” And this is followed by the command: “Listen to him!” Now the Father no longer speaks through various prophets, but directly through the Son. Whoever wants to fulfill God’s will must listen to his Son, even when he speaks of suffering, persecution, and death. Now we also know that everything will change into glory.
We feel the announcement of this glory in Jesus’ words to the three frightened disciples when he approaches them and says: “Rise, and do not be afraid!” What the disciples saw is not for today, but for the future. When they lift their eyes, they see Jesus alone, no one else. In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus will continue this solitude, as he must live through and endure his suffering alone.
All of this calls us, like Abraham, to faith and hope; the rest will be done by God himself. To the three chosen witnesses, he revealed his heavenly majesty, so that they themselves would remain faithful when it is difficult and that they would then encourage others to faithfulness when trials and suffering come.
The Word of God invites us to listen attentively to Jesus’ words and to be transformed in the light of it into the purity of God’s image, which the Father himself has imprinted in us.” This concluded Fr. Robert Bahčič’s address to the pilgrims.
Prepared by: AEF