Wednesday, August 6, 2014

The Transfiguration of our Lord


Dear Fathers, Friends in Christ, 

Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14
 Psalm 97:1-2, 5-6, 9
 2 Peter 1:16-19
 Matthew 17:1-9




If a butterfly could talk to a caterpillar, it would find itself dismayed that the caterpillar cannot envisage a future life where it could be free like the butterfly. 

 To every promise the butterfly could make, the caterpillar would point to its need to crawl from one place to another, its need to avoid predators, and so forth. But suppose the butterfly was able to represent itself to a caterpillar as it once was, a caterpillar just like the caterpillar it is trying to inspire. Maybe, just then, the caterpillar would see that there is indeed a life after being a caterpillar, and in fact a glorious life. 

 In just the same way, Jesus tried to show His disciples, and us through them, that there is indeed a life after our human life has passed, and not only a life, but a glorious life in being resurrected just like Jesus was. Like the caterpillar, we can advance reasons why such a life is not possible, but through the gift of faith we can share in this glorious life even now.


 Father Ed Bakker 
 Anglican Catholic Church / Original Province 
 Mission of Saint Aidan of Lindisfarne 
 Bendigo 
 Australia