A Thought for Tuesday, 8 November 2016

“As Jesus was speaking, a cloud came and overshadowed them (Peter, James, and John), and they were fearful as they entered the cloud.  And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, ‘This is My beloved Son.  Hear Him!’  When the voice had ceased, Jesus was found alone.  But they kept quiet and told no one in those days any of the things they had seen.”  Luke 9:34-36 NKJV

Election Day.  Especially this year, many are just relieved it’s finally over.  Regardless of the outcome, these (including myself) are simply grateful we no longer have to suffer the plain nastiness of these candidates and their minions.  Of course we all have a preferred candidate (even though many claim to have held their noses while they voted!); but regardless of who will be declared the winner by the Electoral College, we can finally go on about our lives.

This interesting scene from Luke’s Gospel takes place immediately following the Transfiguration.  The three apostles had witnessed Moses and Elijah speaking with Jesus about His impending death, and they had been overwhelmed by the experience.  Peter wanted to build three tabernacles; one for Jesus, one for Moses, and the other for Elijah.

Rather than to worry about structures to memorialize the occasion, The Lord spoke through the cloud and gave them the only memorial which would matter long after the structures had failed: “This is My beloved Son.  Hear Him!”

These past few weeks we have heard nothing but charges, accusations, innuendo, and downright blasphemy – which is what happens when we slander someone who is, like us, created in the Divine Image.  And yet, for as loud as the screaming is as we demand to be heard, The Almighty speaks through this obstructive “cloud” of noise and vitriol: “Hear My beloved Son.  He has something worth hearing!”

Be grateful for the privilege we have as citizens, but always hear our Holy Father; for His enduring Word is that which will find no ending.  The nastiness of these bitter days will not even be a memory. 

The Lord is great, is He not?

Michael