Mark 9:2-13
Friday, 7 March 2008
I don't even remember the product as much as I remember the commercial: "If you want to capture someone's attention, whisper." Whether one was inclined to purchase the perfume for sale or not, the tag line for the commercial stood out as it appealed to that part of each of us that wants to know how to get the important people in our lives to listen to what we have to say. We all want to experience the focus on us from time to time. And we all know just as well that there will always be other noises that threaten to distract the attention.
With each day, the intensity increases in the message of Jesus. His identity as the Messiah is established. The general contours of the coming suffering are being made known to his disciples. But there are still a lot of distractions. Just a few days after Peter's confession that Jesus is the Messiah, Jesus carries his three closest followers to a mountain, away from all the competition for their attention. Imagine their astonishment as a powerful light shines out of Christ's visage. Even more astounding is the presence of the two great ancestors Moses and Elijah, embodying the Law and the Prophets. There is no question that God has their attention, but the ability of people to miss the point should never be underestimated. Peter has a bright idea for a building program. God's voice speaks and brings the focus to Jesus alone: Listen to him!
It is so easy for us to be distracted, so difficult for us to maintain focus over the long haul. We are now in the routine of Lent and therefore are poised to lose focus or to come to the wrong conclusion. Even when God does great things in our midst, we are inclined to look more at the miracle and miss the message. Pause now and quiet yourself. Don't think. Just listen. You have confessed that Jesus is the Christ the Savior of the world. Now listen to him and be saved.
Sing, "Open My Eyes that I May See"
Let us pray:
Merciful God, we thank you for the privilege of being the people whom you have called to the mountain to witness your glory. We rejoice that we have come this far and have been privy to the revelation of your identity. Help us in this waning Lenten season not to miss the message. Attune us to your voice. Grant us the grace of focus on Jesus the Christ. Amen
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1 comment:
Listening for me is the easy part; hearing is the challenge! My prayer is for discernment while I am learning to focus on Jesus more during this Lenten season. I echo your prayer for grace of focus on Jesus and add to that mercy for wisdom and discernment.
Blessings to you for your continued faithfulness and commitment!
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