😎🐫🎤 Christ’s peace and presence be with you. I pray that you have experienced a good reflective beginning of Lent. Last weekend the Gospel of Matthew 17:1-9 brought us the very familiar telling of Christ’s transfiguration. During Father’s homily, he touched on something that I’ve heard many times, but never really focused on. I’m speaking specifically of verse 3.
Matthew 17:1-3
1 After six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves.
2 And he was transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light.
3 And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, conversing with him..
So, what is so important about Moses and Elijah appearing to the Apostles, conversing with Jesus?
In the past I’ve had conversations with people who seemed to have an issue with talking/praying with the saints and asking for their guidance and intercessory prayer. The basic response I receive is, why pray to them, when you can pray directly to Jesus? My initial response generally goes to, yes, I can pray directly to God. Which is typically followed by, “Have you ever asked someone to pray for you?” 100% of the time, the answer is yes. Other than being alive and dead, how is talking with the saints and asking them to pray for you on your behalf any different than asking a family member or friend to pray for you?
Well, until Father’s homily last weekend, it didn’t dawn on me that we have Biblical proof of Christ’s example of speaking/praying with the saints. Moses and Elijah appeared to the Apostles, conversing with Jesus. Remember, Moses and Elijah were no longer living an earthly life at this point. This is another of the many subtle and not so subtle ways Christ is calling us to be like Him. What would Jesus so? He would talk and pray with His friends…the saints.
Bless others and be blessed.
Shelly :0)
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#ChrisTomlin – How Good It Is
Third Day Devotions 