Ordinary Time

February 18, 2023

Scripture Reading:

Matthew 17:1-9
Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. Then Peter said to Jesus, ‘Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.’ While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!’ When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, ‘Get up and do not be afraid.’ And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone.

As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, ‘Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.’

Let us consider this phrase from the above scripture.  ‘This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!’

The Greek word for listen is 191 akoúō – properly, to hear (listen); (figuratively) to hear God’s voice which prompts Him to birth faith within (cf. Ro 10:17)

Romans 10:17—So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ.

Also, the word for hear has an additional meaning, 189 akoḗ – properly, hearing; used of inner (spiritual) hearing that goes with receiving faith from God (Ro 10:17), i.e. spiritual hearing

And discerning God’s voice; Galatians 3:2,5—The only thing I want to learn from you is this: Did you receive the Spirit by doing the works of the law or by believing what you heard? Well then, does God supply you with the Spirit and work miracles among you by your doing the works of the law, or by your believing what you heard?

And finally, Jesus said, Matthew 13:14: With them indeed is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah that says: “You will indeed listen, but never understand, and you will indeed look, but never perceive.

We will never be able to understand fully others we are called to love if we do not take the time to listen to the voice of God’s Son, the Beloved, and learn from his Word.

Prayer: Lord, help invest more time in listening with understanding in our communication with you and with one another. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.