The Feast of the Transfiguration

This is one of those beautiful stories that brings Old and New Testements together in a profound way. If you look close enough, you might even find a bit of humor there.

Christ’s transfiguration can be found in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke. Often throughout His time with them, Jesus would ask certain Apostles to accompany Him. And so it was sometime before Passover, probably in February or March, Christ went to Mount Tabor with John, his brother James and Peter to pray. While they were apart from the others in prayer, Christ’s physical appearance changed. The divinity within him shown like a brilliant white light. He was joined by Moses and Elijah, both figures of the Old Testament.

By now it seems little phases Peter. So his teacher is glowing? So men long since dead are conversing with him? No big deal. Peter calmly suggested that he and the other Apostles present build Tabernacles (dwelling places) for Jesus and His heavenly visitors. Think about this for a moment. Simon-Peter was a fisherman, not an educated scholarly man. Perhaps it was his lack of a formal education that allowed him to say “Why not? He’s the Son of Man. If he wants to visit with Moses and Elijah, who am I to question this? I’ll just make them feel welcome.” When I think about this exchange between Jesus and Peter, I smile. Peter so often has the heart of a child, open and excepting. It is no wonder that he would come to be the Rock on which our Church is built.

In 1569, Pope Pius V established the current form used in the three original Rosaries. Each Rosary – Joyful, Sorrowful and Glorious contain five declared Mysteries of Faith. When reciting the prayers of the Rosary, we are to meditate on the mysteries each Rosary contains. It wasn’t until a fourth Mysteries of Rosary was instituted by Pope John Paul II that the Transfiguration was included. That event is a part of what the Church calls the Luminous Mysteries.

There are so many parts to the Transfiguration that are moving to me. God speaks. His voice is heard. Why is it that we can read the story of Mount Tabor and accept God speaking, but if the woman next to us on the bus says God speaks to her, we change seats? Did God loose the ability to speak? Has He said all that needs to be said? I think He still speaks, more than we realize. It’s just that the world around us has gotten so loud, it’s sometimes hard to hear His gentle whisper. And when He does shout, we are too scared to listen.

Close the door sometime, be still and listen. God will speak if you let Him.

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Southwestern Chicken Fajita Wraps
2 boneless Chicken Breasts
1/2 whole Red Onion
1 Orange Bell Pepper
2 Roma Tomatoes
1 (11 oz) can Southwestern Style Corn
1/2 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
Salt to taste
2 teaspoons Vegetable Oil
1-1/2 teaspoons Cumin
4 large Flour Tortillas
1 cup Pepper Jack Cheese
1 cup Chunky Tomato Salsa
1 cup Sour Cream

Cut chicken into thin strips. Cut onion in half. Reserve half for another purpose, cut remaining half into thin wedges. Core bell pepper, remove seeds. Cut into think strips similar to onion. Cut tomatoes in half, remove seeds. Dice tomato, set everything aside until ready to use. In a mixing bowl, stir together the corn with its liquid and the diced tomatoes. Season with cayenne and salt. Set aside.

In al large skillet over medium-high heat, warm the oil. Add chicken, sprinkle with cumin. Add onions, cook for 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Add bell peppers, cook an additional 6 minutes or so, until the chicken is no longer pink and the peppers are crisp, tender. Stir frequently to prevent scorching. Keep warm.

Warm tortillas. Spoon about 3/4-cup of the chicken mixture down the center of each warmed tortilla. Top with about a quarter-cup of the corn mixture, followed by a quarter cup of cheese.

Fold 2 sides of the tortilla toward the center, then fold and roll. Lightly grill on a tortilla pan.

Serve with salsa and sour cream. This wrap is light yet oh so filling and packed with amazing flavors.

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Alleluia, alleluia
This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased;
Listen to him.
Alleluia, alleluia