Bible Verse
-- 2 Corinthians 1:3-5 --
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of
compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so
that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have
received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our
lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.
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Many think that when God comforts us, our troubles should go away. But if that
were always so, people would turn to God only out of a desire to be relieved of
pain and not out of love for him. We must understand that being comforted can
also mean receiving strength, encouragement and hope to deal with our troubles.
The more we suffer, the more comfort God gives us. If you are feeling
overwhelmed, allow God to comfort you. Remember that every trial that you endure
will help you comfort other people who are suffering similar troubles.
August 6th - The Transfiguration of Our Lord
(32AD)
Our divine Redeemer, being in Galilee the summer before His sacred Passion, took
with Him Saint Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, Saint James and Saint John,
and led them to the heights of a solitary mountain. Tradition assures us that
this was Mount Tabor, which is exceedingly high and beautiful, and in those days
was covered with green trees and shrubs. It rises alone in the midst of a vast
plain of Galilee.
It is here that the God-Man appeared in His glory. While Jesus prayed, He
permitted the glory which was always due to His sacred humanity - and of which
for our sake, not to alarm us, He deprived it - to diffuse its brilliance over
His whole body. His face was transfigured and shone as the sun, and His garments
became white as snow. Moses and Elias were seen in His company by the three
apostles on this occasion, and were heard discoursing with Him of the death
which He was to suffer in Jerusalem. The three were wondrously delighted with
this glorious vision, and Saint Peter cried out to Christ, "Lord, it is good for
us to be here! Let us make three tents, one for Thee, one for Moses, and one for
Elias."
While Saint Peter was speaking, suddenly there came a bright cloud from heaven,
emblem of the presence of God's majesty, and from out of this cloud was heard a
voice which said, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear Him."
By these words, God made known that in Christ they must recognize the One He had
foretold to Moses, saying: "I will raise up from among them a Prophet like you;
I will put My words in His mouth, and He will tell them all I command Him. If
anyone does not want to hear the words that this Prophet will speak in My Name,
it is to Me that he will have to answer for it." (Deut. 18:18-19) When the Jews
asked John the Baptist if he was the Prophet, this was the Expected One they
referred to. The apostles understood perfectly now what these words meant; the
prophecy was known to all who listened to the Scriptures read each week in their
synagogues. Hearing this voice, they were nonetheless seized with a sudden fear,
and fell upon the ground; but Jesus, going to them, touched them, and bade them
rise. They immediately did so, and saw no one but Jesus standing there in His
ordinary state. This vision happened during the night. As they went down the
mountain early the next morning, Jesus forbade them to tell anyone what they had
seen, before He had risen from the dead.
Reflection: From the contemplation of this glorious mystery we ought to conceive
a true idea of future happiness. If this idea enters our souls, we will think
nothing of the difficulties or labors we meet with here, but will regard with
great indifference all the goods and evils of this life, provided we obtain our
portion in the kingdom of God's glory.
Source: Little Pictorial Lives of the Saints, a compilation based on Butler's
Lives of the Saints and other sources by John Gilmary Shea (Benziger Brothers:
New York, 1894).
Spiritual Bouquet: You are My friends if you do the things I command you. St.
John 15:14
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Jesus
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus;
Bless His Holy Name!
His loving grace and mercy
Have earned Him world acclaim.
What would I do with Jesus,
If He came walking down my street?
Why, I'd fall down and worship Him,
And kiss His sandaled feet.
I'd ask to see His nail scarred hands.
Then, I'd gently kiss them, too.
And thank Him for His great sacrifice;
His Life's blood, for me and you.
I'd walk so close beside Him,
Help lead the lost into His fold.
I'd help Him spread His Holy Word,
Tell about His streets of gold.
Then, I'd tell everyone I see
Of how He shed His precious blood for me.
Though, I wasn't worthy of His grace,
He loved me so much that He took my place.
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