This weekend we celebrate the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord. Jesus takes Peter, James, and John aside to be witnesses or to
experience his Transfiguration. Have you ever wondered ‘why just those three?’ I have at times. Jesus could have chosen to have the
twelve witness, yet it was only three. In my own personal reflections, I have come to see this as a sign that we all do not get to
experience the same things. I pondered what the others were thinking when they heard about it. Poor Thomas, missed out, like he
would in the upper room. How often do we not want to believe something if it did not happen to us? On the other hand, if it did
happen to us, could we keep it to ourselves? The three are given the order to not tell anyone. The word used is ‘Charged’ them, “Do not
tell the vision to anyone until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.” I have been asked to keep secrets before, but nothing like
this. Often times some experience I’ve had, did not seem really real, until I shared it with my Mother.

I think we can all fall into jealousy at times. Someone else who, in our mind, has it easier. Or has a talent that we wish we had. This
jealousy, left unchecked, can slip into our spiritual life as well. ‘She prays better than I do.’ or ‘You can see how the spirit is moving in his
life.’ We may not see how ‘dry’ her prayer may be at times. Or how he has not always been open to the working of the spirit. There is
only one place to begin our walk with the LORD, and that is right where we are right now. It does not matter if we are a beginner or a
Saint, we must start where we are and look to grow closer to the LORD. And because we all may find different parts of prayer more
fruitful at different times, maybe we need to try something new rather than the same old same old. Maybe we need to try and spend
some time in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament?

The other detail that always catches my eye with the Transfiguration, is Peter’s offer to make tents. Again, in my own reflection, to me it
is like Peter is saying, “I do not want this to end!” If we quickly make tents for each, could this continue on? Stepping back and looking
at the Gospel, it looks like as if Jesus was not Transfigured very long. We are told that “Moses and Elijah appeared to them, conversing
with him.” How long before Peter got the courage to speak up? Since we know, “While he was still speaking” the Cloud came, the voice
and the vision was gone.

If you have even had the experience of losing track of time. Either coming to the realization that a lot of time has passed, or a feeling on
time moving in slow motion. I ponder sometimes how long this may have lasted? I feel sure of one thing, that Peter wanted it to go on.
I wonder sometimes where this summer has gone? Our Festival is fast approaching. We will need everyone’s help. Don’t forget to sell
your Quilt and Grand Raffle tickets and turn them in. Be thinking of ‘Baskets from Heaven’ ideas, I am looking at a couple of Jamming 4
Jesus baskets. You can start to bring things in, water, pop (soda), baskets and more. Please be praying for good weather for the
weekend and that our Festival will be successful.

Blessings
Fr. Backer