FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK
Dear St. Mary’s Parishioners:
Death has a shocking way of sharpening our senses to what truly matters in life. It cuts deep like a samurai sword, through the layers of distractions and clutter that make up our lives. As Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino, the famous Italian Renaissance painter (in english, will simply call him Rafael) was lying on his deathbed, he made an unusual request. He asked for one of his oil paintings to be brought into his room and set at the foot of his bed. He wanted to gaze upon it as death itself crept closer and closer to him. This painting is called The Transfiguration, which he created at the request of Cardinal Giulio de Medici, who later would become Pope Clement VII (1523-1534). You can see a picture of this painting on the cover of the bulletin. It depicts a famous account in the Gospels, which we hear this Sunday: “Jesus took Peter, James, and his brother, John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light.” (Cf. Matthew 17:1-3).
In this instant, the true identity of Jesus is revealed. He is God in the flesh. All doubt is removed. We must wonder, “Why did Rafael ask for this specific painting to be the last thing he would see on earth?” The answer is the other aspect that death also brings – the unknown. And with the unknown, comes fear. Although as Christians we have a firm hope that death is no longer the end, we can still carry tremendous anxiety when that end finally comes for us. We fear the physical pain that may come. We fear what will happen to our family. We fear the heartache of loss. We fear never seeing our loved ones again. Rafael undoubtedly felt the weight of it all.
By looking upon the painting of the Transfiguration, he was reminded of who Jesus Christ truly is. If Jesus is God, he has power over even death itself. His own death upon the cross destroys our greatest foe. The words of Jesus must have echoed in his heart:
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe in Me as well. In My Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and welcome you into My presence, so that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going. “Lord,” said Thomas, “we do not know where You are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. If you had known Me, you would know My Father as well. From now on you do know Him and have seen Him.” (Cf. John 14: 1-7)
A Servant of Jesus Christ,
Fr. Brian J. Soliven
