On this Feast of the Transfiguration the appointed Gospel reading for the Eucharist is taken from the Gospel according to Luke where we read about the event:
Now about eight days after these sayings Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep; but since they had stayed awake, they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, ‘Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah’—not knowing what he said. While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were terrified as they entered the cloud. Then from the cloud came a voice that said, ‘This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!’ When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and in those days told no one any of the things they had seen. (Lk. 9:28-36).
“Listen to him!” How often do we really listen to Jesus? To listen requires that we be silent, that we be in a receiving mode, that we are open. Often times when we think we are listening to what Jesus is saying to us, we are busy listening to our own thoughts and desires contemplating the ways we want things to be out of our own selfish desires and predilections. We want Divine Endorsement of our agenda. “Of course, I can’t conceive of a God who…; therefore, God must …” Fill in your own blank.
The Danish Christian philosopher and theologian, Søren Kierkegaard, wrote: “The function of prayer is not to influence God, but rather to change the nature of the one who prays.” C.S. Lewis said much the same thing: “I pray because I can’t help myself. I pray because I’m helpless. I pray because the need flows out of me all the time- waking and sleeping. It doesn’t change God- it changes me.”
Listening to God is prayer. Prayer is not seeking God’s rubber stamp on my way, my desires. Rather, prayer changes the individual; prayer transfigures the individual. Listen to him, and you will be changed!
CALENDAR REMINDERS
St. Vincent’s House is in need of non-perishable protein for the food panty, like canned salmon and canned chicken. Please remember the words of Jesus, "I was hungry and you gave me to eat.”
Seaside Seniors will meet Thursday, 20 August at 11 AM for food, fun and fellowship.
Blessing of the Backpacks on Sunday, 23 August at the 9 AM Eucharist.
St. Augustine’s Feast Day, Sunday, 30 August. We will bless our carillon.
Please remember everyone on our Prayer List!
Your servant in Christ,
Fr. Chester J. Makowski+
St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church
Galveston. Texas 77550
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