Like many of the important truths of life, there is often one meaning and then another. The resurrection is one instance of this. We hold on to our belief of the resurrection as the promise of life after death and this surely gives us hope and courage as we journey through our days upon days. As the prayer at the grave site has it, “You hallowed the graves of all who believe in you and so made the grave a sign of hope that promises resurrection even as it claims our mortal bodies.” But there is still another meaning of the resurrection that permeates our daily life and makes life so much worth living. As New Englanders we witness the fickleness of the weather: first warm then cold, the sun peeks out but then is swallowed by the clouds, it rains then snows and oh, look, a rainbow. The weather is a parable of our lives. We are up, we are down, we are happy, we are sad, we are hopeful and we despair and then, look, oh, a rainbow. It is called the resurrection, it’s called hope. With St. Paul we wish to know the resurrection in our daily lives that tells us in our despair ever to be hopeful and in our joy to remain thankful. Many pass through sorrow and even death unwanted but for those who persevere in these trials there is the joy of the resurrection that never allows us to give up. Some people amaze us in what they endure, who never lose the spark of life and come through dark days better, stronger and with even more courage. It is called the resurrection, darkness gives way to light.
Then he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. Matthew 17:2
The Transfiguration also applies to our daily life. The Son of God is transfigured as a reminder from the Father to Jesus and to Peter, James and John that even though there was suffering around the corner, they will emerge stronger and their hope will shine like the sun. “This is my Son whom I love. Listen to him.”
So, as we walk through life it is well to remember the Resurrection and the Transfiguration as signs that those who never lose their hope and courage in this life will be ever joyful and attain the resurrection from the dead. Sometimes adversity transforms us into something most noble. Carry on, run the race, never lose the hope that transfigures and raises up. Then your lives will shine like the sun.
-Father Al