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March 8, 2020: A Different Perspective

In the gospel Jesus goes up a mountain with three followers. Up there, two important figures from the old days appear. They are both dead, but they appear and talk with Jesus. One is Moses, who represents the law, the other is Elijah, who represents the prophets (or wisdom). These two represent two major parts of the Old Testament.

 

Now in the scriptures, mountains are important. On a mountain, Moses talks with God and is given the 10 commandments. On a mountain Elijah (1 Kings 19) is afraid for his life and hides and God speaks to him, not in a big voice, but in a whisper. Here on a mountain, the disciples see who Jesus is . . . the son of God.

 

Mountains are important. [Servers bring in a step ladder, set it up and I climb it] For when you are up higher, like on a mountain, you see things differently. You see the bigger picture, see connections, the view is different.

 

Many times, when something bad happens to us, we only focus on that event. We get stuck and think that this “thing” now defines our life. For example, dropping the ball, saying the wrong word, crashing your car, losing the game. Of even bigger things like having a disease, losing a job, breaking a relationship, having a drinking problem. Those are important, but those are your LIFE SITUATIONS, they are not your life. Your life is bigger than those.

 

Too often, when something bad happens we think . . .”this is the end of my life.” No, those are your life situations, your life is bigger than those.

 

Same thing when something good happens to you. You win the game, you get a promotion, you receive a crown. Those are important. Those are good. But those are your LIFE SITUATIONS not your life. Your life is bigger than those.

 

It has been said, that after age 30, success has NOTHING to teach you. You can have success and have achievements but you don’t really grow from them. Younger than 30, you can learn from the successes, the awards, the titles, the accomplishment. Just don’t believe them. They don’t define you.

 

Being on a mountain helps you to see the bigger picture. Pray does the same thing. Pray helps us to put things into perspective. When something bad happens . . . talk it over with God. When something good happens . . . talk it over with God. God sees the bigger picture and doesn’t get stuck by thinking of us through one aspect only.

 

Paul said in the second reading that we are called to a holy life, but we don’t receive this holy life from our works, but from God’s plan and God’s grace.

 

You see, I believe that God says to each of us, just like God said in the gospel about Jesus,

“You are my beloved son, my beloved daughter.” Then Jesus says to the followers, what he says to us . . . rise up, do not be afra

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