Homily: Feast of the Transfiguration (2021)
Feast of the Transfiguration (2021) “Love is the Measure”
We have been reading the last several days from the Book of Exodus. In that book of the Bible, we hear about God’s interactions with Moses. There is a pattern to those interactions. Moses usually goes to Mount Sinai to converse with God. We also hear how a cloud comes down and covers the mountain when God is there. We are told that when Moses comes back from talking to the Lord his face shines so brightly people cannot look at him.
The parallels with the story of the Transfiguration are unmistakable. Jesus goes to the mountain with his disciples. He meets his Father there. Jesus’ body becomes dazzlingly white. The Apostles can’t bear to look at him. A cloud comes down to cover the mountain.
The implication is quite clear. Jesus is the new Moses. He also brings a new covenant. What is the crux of the Old Covenant? It is the ten commandments. We notice in those commandments there are three commandments that stress respect for God, and there are seven commandments that describe how we are to relate to our neighbor.
Jesus’ new covenant simplifies the law. Jesus teaches that there are only two commandments. We are to love God. We are to love our neighbor. His is simply a law of love. As Saint Paul says, “Love never wrongs the neighbor hence love is the fulfillment of the law” (Romans 13:10).
The law and the prophets are represented on the mountain by the appearance of Moses and Elijah. These are the scriptures that Jewish ethics were built on. But Jesus came and taught his followers that if believers would just try to do the loving thing than they need not worry about their standing before God. Loving people need not ever fear God. “Love casts out fear” (1st John 4:18).
Dear Parishioners,
I announced at Mass that I might have more guidance about protocols for Mass. The governor has announced that schools will now require students to wear masks as classes begin in the fall. This will hopefully keep children safe and in school.
Our Diocese of Peoria made the same announcement yesterday for all parochial schools. The COVID-19 variant that is now circulating is very dangerous. Many children and unvaccinated people are getting sick. Hospital counts are rising. I just found out yesterday that a distant relative of mine, who was just 42, died of COVID in May.
Because of all this, I would like to recommend that parishioners wear masks when we are in church. We will continue to have reduced singing as well. We will have disposal masks at the door for those who forget theirs at home. This is not a mandate, but it is a strong request. It makes no difference if one is vaccinated or not, we can pass the infection on to others whether we are or are not. The vaccinated do have less chance of contracting COVID or becoming seriously ill.
We will leave it up to parishioners to do the right thing. We will not challenge people who are not wearing masks. The liturgy is not a place for confrontations. I would remind you that if things get bad enough some of the more stringent protocols could return. I thank you for whatever cooperation you can give.
May Our Lady and all the Angels and Saints watch over you.
Fr. Mark