One of the things I always enjoy about
travelling is meeting new people. Hopefully some of those
people become friends. Initially we are introduced, then we say
a little about ourselves. If we get on well, we may meet
again. As a friendship develops you learn more about the other
person, their background, what they like, how they think. Over
time a bond starts to form. If a true friendship develops we may even
share some of our deepest secrets, because we have learnt to trust
the other person. A real friendship is a great gift and when a
real friendship develops we make sacrifices for that person, we do
things for them and in a sense we also try and serve that person in
different ways.
In the same way, all of us are called
into a relationship with God and more specifically with the person of
Jesus—Jesus who is both fully divine and fully human. Our
faith is not just about belief in a teaching, it is about an
encounter with the person of Jesus.
In the Gospels we read about many
different men and women that Jesus called to himself, to enter into
relationship with him. In St. Mark’s Gospel it says: He
called them to be with him (See Mk3:13-14).
13
[Jesus} went up on the mountain and summoned those whom He Himself
wanted, and they came to Him. 14And
He appointed twelve, so that they would be with Him and that He could
send them out to preach (Mk 3:13-14).
Different people were called to
specific tasks like the Apostles to preach the Gospel. Others
were called to different kinds of service, but everyone had a role,
men and women. But the most important role for all of those
people was first to know Jesus and be with him and they did.
Some of those people he allowed to become closer to him than others.
Even among the Apostles he invited some to a closer relationship than
others. In today’s Gospel we read about Peter and the
brothers James and John. Jesus took just these men with him on
three occasions: once when he brought the 12 year old girl back
to life (Jairus’ daughter); at the Transfiguration which we just
read about and also in the garden of Gethsemane when they watched
Jesus breaking down with fear and sweating blood at the thought of
what was ahead of him. He was showing these three men more than
he showed most of the others.
Once people got to know Jesus they were
called to use their gifts in his service and they did. We are
also called to use our gifts in his service. This is part of
what it means to be a Christian. A community like this one
doesn’t become a community unless people give of themselves
generously, using their gifts and talents to serve others and
thankfully people do that here with great generosity. There are
over 95 different ministries in this parish, which is quite
something. It only becomes a community when people use their
gifts. I have my calling as a priest and I try and use the
gifts I have, but I am only one person and like anyone I am very
limited in what I can do. But when all of us use the gifts we
have, things happen.
In the Gospel today we read of an
extraordinary event, when Jesus briefly allowed Peter, James and John
to see him in his glory as God. It must have been both amazing
and terrifying all at once. These were his closest friends and
you could say that he was sharing his deepest secrets with them,
allowing them to know for sure who he was. They were being
given this extra strength for what lay ahead, because Jesus was about
to go through his passion which they were to witness first hand.
Jesus knew how difficult this would be for them and so he was helping
them. What always strikes me most about this event was the
words of the Father, ‘This is my Son the Beloved; listen to him.’
‘Listen to him’. In Jesus we find everything we need to
know. He is the answer to what our whole life is about.
He points out the path to us and shows us how to live. ‘This
is my Son the Beloved; listen to him.’
The disciples were entrusted with a
great treasure. That treasure was the knowledge of who Jesus
was and what he did for us. Their job was to pass this on to
others. St. Paul writes ‘But we have this treasure in jars of
clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from
us’ (2 Cor 4:7). What would have happened if they decided
that this was too much like hard work? How many people would
never have heard of Jesus if they hadn’t played their part, using
their gifts to pass on this message? We are also entrusted with
a particular role and particular gifts. No one else has the
part we have. It may even be something very simple, but
everything has its place.
I remember the first time I went to a
prayer meeting which was instrumental in bringing me back to my
faith. It was held in a private house. When I went into
this house I didn’t know anyone and I felt awkward and
uncomfortable. Then a big man came up to me and said, ‘How
are you doing; my name is John McCarthy and you’re welcome.’
I never forgot that, because it put me at ease and made me feel
welcome. That prayer group helped me to come to faith and then
I went on to become a priest. The simple role of that man made
a big impact on me, making me feel welcome in a place of strangers.
I’m sure he would never have thought that what he did was
important, but 26 years later I still remember it clearly.
All of us have a part to play, which no
one else will play. What it requires of us is that we respond
to God with a generous heart. Who knows how God will use the
gifts we have once we respond. We are entrusted with something
beautiful, but it is up to us to use.
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