Sunday Gospel Reflection by Bishop Parkes: “It is good that we are here.” I’ve heard this said by those who go on a retreat and have even said this myself. Even Bishops get to go on retreat each year so that we can focus and grow in our relationship with our Lord. The experiences at retreats can be emotional and profound.
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Mountaintop experiences
“Then a cloud came, casting a shadow over them; from the cloud came a voice, ‘This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.’”- Mark 9:7
“It is good that we are here.” I’ve heard this said by those who go on a retreat and have even said this myself. Even Bishops get to go on retreat each year so that we can focus and grow in our relationship with our Lord. The experiences at retreats can be emotional and profound. We sometimes refer to these as “mountaintop experiences”. There are mountains where, on a clear day, you can see over a hundred miles away. You have a clear view of everything, and it can be a breathtaking experience, even transformative experience seeing the beauty of nature and God’s creation.
In this weekend’s Gospel from St Mark, we read that Jesus took Peter, James, and John up on a high mountain. It was just the four of them—a little retreat, or getaway, if you will. Then, after arriving at the top of the mountain, suddenly Jesus’ clothing becomes dazzling white. Elijah and Moses appear and a voice from the clouds proclaims “This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.” In an instant, all of that goes away and it’s once again just the four of them.
What does this mean for us? Climbing to the top of the mountain takes effort and sacrifice. It’s not easy, but once you’re there, it’s a great experience. You might discover more about yourself and the others on your journey up. On the mountain top we hear of in today’s Gospel, Peter, James, and John get a glimpse of Jesus’ glory. Through this experience they were also transformed, not in a physical sense like Jesus, but in a spiritual way. They would eventually come to know that after all the suffering and death that Jesus was to endure, and that they would witness, there is glory.
This reality is for us as well. As we journey through life, no doubt we’ll experience challenges, suffering, and one day, death. Yet beyond all of that, we are also called to glory – the glory of heaven. So, never lose hope in the midst of the trials of our life. Endure them with courage, and trust that one day we’ll be with Jesus for all eternity in glory.
Experiencias en la cima de una montaña
"Se formó entonces una nube, que los cubrió con su sombra, y de esta nube salió una voz que decía: «Éste es mi Hijo amado; escúchenlo»" - Marcos 9,7
"Qué bueno es estar aquí". He oído decir esto a los que van a un retiro e incluso yo mismo lo he dicho. Hasta los obispos nos vamos de retiro cada año para poder centrarnos y crecer en nuestra relación con nuestro Señor. Las experiencias en los retiros pueden ser emotivas y profundas. A veces nos referimos a ellas como "sentirnos en lo alto de un monte". Hay montes en los que puedes ver más de cien millas de distancia en un día claro. Tienes una visión clara de todo y puede ser una experiencia impresionante e incluso transformadora al ver la belleza de la naturaleza y la creación de Dios.
En el Evangelio según san Marcos de este fin de semana leemos que Jesús llevó a Pedro, Santiago y Juan a un monte alto. Estaban los cuatro solos en un pequeño retiro o una escapada, por así decirlo. Al llegar a lo alto del monte la ropa de Jesús se vuelve de repente en un blanco deslumbrante. Aparecen Elías y Moisés y una voz desde las nubes proclama: "Éste es mi Hijo amado; escúchenlo". En un instante todo eso desaparece y vuelven a quedar solamente ellos cuatro.
¿Qué significa esto para nosotros? Subir a lo alto de un monte requiere esfuerzo y sacrificio. No es fácil, pero una vez que llegas es una gran experiencia. Puede que descubras más de ti mismo y de los demás durante tu escala. En lo alto del monte, del cual nos habla el Evangelio de hoy, Pedro, Santiago y Juan vislumbran la gloria de Jesús. A través de esta experiencia también ellos fueron transformados, no en un sentido físico como Jesús, sino en un sentido espiritual. Con el tiempo llegarían a saber que, después de todo el sufrimiento y la muerte que Jesús iba a soportar y de los que ellos serían testigos, se encuentra la gloria.
Esto es una realidad también para nosotros. No hay duda de que, a lo largo de nuestro caminar por la vida, experimentaremos desafíos, sufrimientos y un día la muerte. Sin embargo, más allá de todo eso, también estamos llamados a la gloria: la gloria del cielo. Por eso nunca perdamos la esperanza en medio de las pruebas de nuestra vida. Soportémoslas con valor y confiemos en que un día estaremos con Jesús por toda la eternidad en la gloria.
Reflection by:
Most Reverend Gregory L. Parkes is the fifth Bishop of St. Petersburg. Prior to his appointment to the Diocese of St. Petersburg, Bishop Parkes served as the fifth Bishop of the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee from 2012-2016. He was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Orlando on June 26, 1999. Before answering the call to the priesthood, Bishop Parkes worked for several years in Tampa’s banking industry.
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