Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish

FR MICHAEL BIBLICAL IMAGERY

(Fr Michael Boakye Yeboah: Vice Rector of St Gregory Seminary, Kumasi-Ghana)

CHANGES

            Time, circumstance, age, status in life and other things can make us see the term “CHANGE” as relative. Relative in the sense that for some people lack of changes at a particular time, moment, or circumstance can be something they will welcome while for others their present situation can make them cry out for a change. For example, if someone is sick or is living in abject poverty, his/her only wish is to experience some changes that can better his/her lot. But for someone enjoying a state of life that is blissful for him/her, his/her only wish will the permanence of his/her situation and (s)he will not wish to welcome any changes. And so, in life, time, circumstance, and other things can make people welcome changes or dislike changes.

            In the season of Lent, the Church calls for changes in the life of her children. Fasting will not only change the physical appearance of a person but can enhance his/her spiritual and medical well-being. Our call to pray more during this season is an important means to bring a person to those required changes he/she seeks in life, while almsgiving can help change someone’s poverty situation. If we fast, pray, and give alms, we will better our own lot and help better the lot of others. Lent if approached well can affect the right changes in a person’s life.

            It may have been in a similar ambience of change that God invited Abraham to a life in him. Abraham was childless when God called him in the Ur of the Chaldeans. There wasn’t any hope that his wife Sarah would beget him a child because she was barren. In a state of hopelessness, God came to Abraham with a promise full of hope. We are told by the inspired writer that God took Abraham outside and said: “Look up at the sky and count the stars, if you can. Just so, shall your descendants be.” Abraham was childless but God was ready to effect the most extreme changes one could imagine. Abraham could not count one child but God helped him count uncountable children. History has justified the promised God made to Abraham. Today it is not only Jews who call Abraham their father, but also Christians and Muslims.

            The story of Abraham can be my story and can be your own story. The right changes came to Abraham when he agreed to allow God in his life and direct his life’s affairs. If only we will allow God the chance to take charge of our lives he can bring quality changes to our life. He alone can rescue us from the life of sin to a life of grace. Whatever changes that any being promises you are only temporal and fake. It is only God who can bring you eternal quality changes. As regards quality eternal changes, St Luke narrates to us a perfect example in today’s Gospel account.

            When Jesus met Peter and the others on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he promised Peter that he would improve his life and bring it to an immense quality of life. On that day he demonstrated to Peter the changes he can make in his life by giving him a sign with that miraculous catch of fish. Peter accepted Jesus’ invitation to transformation of life. But with time Peter experienced some doubt when he complained that he had left house, father, mother, wife, children, and his trade to follow Jesus but he had nothing at the time to show for it. His complaints invited a response from Jesus. Jesus promised Peter and the others that he will bless their lives with quality changes. To give them assurance of his power to change and transform, he took them to a mountain for them to experience his transfiguration. When Peter witnessed the transfiguration, he became so elated that he did not want to descend from the mountain. Such was how Peter changed his views about Jesus’ ability to improve his life and status. When it comes to changes, Jesus alone holds the keys. Life can be complex: look at Peter, in one instant, he was complaining to Jesus for changes but in today’s Gospel he was asking for permanence on the mountain.

            I would like to invite you to the feet of Jesus this Lent for transfiguration. Look at the word I employ here: TRANSFIGURATION and not transformation. I know that many Christians are obsessed with transformation and that seems to be their main motivation for going to Church. Some people want to change their poverty status to that of wealth; poor health to healthy life; resident in Africa to resident in the USA, etc. Visit an average Church in the developing world and you will hear one of the above intentions. It is naturally good for people to seek these changes but in this season of Lent, let us seek transfiguration – changes from sinful state of life to saintly state of life. You don’t belong to the devil and his agents; you belong to God. Please, I would like to beg you to give God a chance in your life. If God did not fail Abraham and Peter; he will not fail you for he is the God of yesterday, today and forever. Trust him and he will change your life. Please give your life to Jesus today.