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Allowing God to Transfigure Our Lives One of the bible’s names for the God is “El Shaddai” or “God of the Mountains.” And from the very beginning of salvation history, we see that mountains are a special place to communicate with Heaven. Abraham ascends Mount Moriah to sacrifice his son (Gen 22). God reveals his name and to Moses on Mount Sinai (Ex 3). Moses later receives the 10 Commandments on that very spot (Ex 31:18). Elijah returns to the same mountain, also known as Horeb, to hear what God’s “still, small voice” has to say (I Kg 19:8). So it is no surprise that Jesus brings his three “pillars” (Gal 2:9) with him up a high mountain to experience a special moment of communion with the Most High. It is this event that is commemorated by the Church each year on August 6th. As tradition has it, Mount Tabor is the place. Rising from the plain of Jezreel, its summit provides a spectacular view of all of Galilee. But what Jesus intends for Peter, James, and John to see is not the countryside. He wishes to provide them a glimpse of who He really is. Jesus is a carpenter from Nazareth, true. He must have looked much like any other Jewish craftsman of that time and place. That much could be seen by the naked eye. But this exterior appearance of his ordinary humanity was a veil hiding something more extraordinary–his glorious divinity. So on Tabor, God pulls back the veil. Moses and Elijah appear. These heroes of old had long since passed out of this world and gone to God. So what does it say about Jesus’s identity that they appear on his right and his left? Jesus’ clothes suddenly appear dazzlingly white, “whiter,” notes Mark, “than the work of any bleacher could make them.” The first reading for the Feast of the Transfiguration tells us the significance of this. Daniel sees a vision of the “Ancient One.” How does he appear? With clothing that is snow white. Then one like “a Son of Man” comes on the clouds to receive dominion, glory and kingship from the Ancient One. On Tabor, a cloud comes and overshadows Jesus and a Voice from the Cloud proclaims that this particular Son of Man happens to be the beloved Son of God. What we have here is what is called a “theophany,” a manifestation of God. It is revelation, first of all, of the divinity of Christ. What the creed says about him could be viewed as a commentary on this very episode: “God from God, light from light, true God from true God.” But it is also a manifestation of the entire Trinity. The cloud that overshadows the apostles is the same one that overshadowed Mary. It is the glorious cloud of the Holy Spirit out of which the Father’s voice resounds. Father, Son, Holy Spirit, one God in three persons, prefigured in Daniel’s vision, revealed in the Transfiguration. Suddenly, after a brief prostration, they get up and see only Jesus, looking the way he had always looked. The veil was now back in place. The five senses are wonderful gifts from God. But they are limited nonetheless. Often we make the mistake of thinking that reality is nothing more than what our senses perceive it to be. So God gives us occasional mountaintop experiences, glimpses into realities that our senses cannot normally detect. Jesus is always divine, regardless of his everyday human appearance. Jesus is always accompanied by saints and angels even when he appears to be alone. It was the entire Trinity who opened the eyes of the man born blind, even though it was only Jesus’s hand we could see touching the man’s eyes. Even though it’s much easier to forget such things and live according to what everybody can see, faith is remembering such moments of revelation and building our lives upon them. Peace and All Good, Bishop Jim |
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Parish Council Meeting St. Mary Mag's is currently looking to fill two or three open positions on the Parish Council. The Parish Council meets once a month. All Meetings are public and anyone can attend. Members of the Parish Council can be any one who is a member of the Parish. The responsibilities of the Parish Council are:
More details will be forthcoming |
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Stuff the Bus Here in Bucks County, 16% of kids struggle to have their basic needs met. For these kids, things we may consider ‘basics’ -like back to school supplies – can be hard to come by. Lower Bucks County United Way expects over 2,200 requests from nonprofits, school districts, and families. It’s critically important for ALL kids to start the school year with the right supplies. That’s why we need your help with Stuff the Bus. Their goal in 2017 is to provide over 2,200 backpacks to Bucks County kids! They’re grateful to have the support of presenting sponsor Wells Fargo, as well as sponsors Sesame Place, PECO, Bank of America, Cummins, and Bay Sales. But they need your help, too! Click here for more details. |
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Food With Friends - Meal
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Food Pantry We continue to collect can goods and other non-perishable items for the Food Pantry located at Harvest Ministries — Cornwells Heights United Methodist Church 2284 Bristol Pike — Bensalem, PA 19020 215.639.0436 Hours: Tuesday, Thursday and Friday @ 9am - 12pm Thank you for your continued generous support of this amazing Ministry. Feeding the needs of hungry families here in our own community. God Bless you for your amazing Giving Hearts. |
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New White Socks We are conitnuing to collect every week — new white crew socks to distribute during our Food With Friends ministry. This is a serious year-round need. St. Mary Mag's does an incredible job in supporting this ministry – and it cannot continue without your constant support. |
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Bow Wow Wow Ministry We continue to collect gently used linens, sheets, blankets, and bath towels to donate to local area animal shelters. We ask you to continue your incredible generocity. Your wonderful generocity helps provide vulnerable animals with comfort when they most need it. Thank you from all the little ones that cannot say it for themselves. |
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Readings for Next Week
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Saint Mary Magdalen Parish of the NATIONAL CATHOLIC CHURCH of NORTH AMERICA |
Church: Website: |
Church of the Redeemer 1065 Bristol Pike Bensalem, PA 19020 Sundays @ 10:15am www.smm-nccna.org |
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