TRUE SELF
- Feb 26
- 1 min read
200 Words: Taken by Christ
Evidently, the first two weeks of Lent encourage us to reflect upon the mystery of Jesus.
The testing of Jesus manifests his humanity (Matthew 4).
Our good friend Brendan Byrne, SJ, says Jesus is being invited to the false self, and what is true for Jesus is applicable to us:
We are tested to identify with what we do.
We are tested to identify with what people think of us.
We are tested to identify with possessions – wealth, thoughts or ambitions.
The transfiguration of Jesus manifests his divinity:
There in their presence he was transfigured. His face shone like the sun and his clothes became as white as the light (Matthew 17).
Eyes are opened – Jesus reveals his glory. Ears are opened – the Father speaks with clarity:
This is my Son, the Beloved; he enjoys my favour. Listen to him.
Our good friend Austin Cooper, OMI, sees in the transfiguration of Jesus the essence of Christian spirituality:
Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain where they could be alone.
We let ourselves be taken.
We put aside the false self in favour of the true self.
AMEN.
