Choose or Die

Yesterday, we celebrated the feastday of Transfiguration in which Jesus, in prefiguring His Resurrection,  is showing us His Glory in His love and mercy for mankind, on Mt. Tabor.

This mountain is now holy and revered, since the feet of our Lord has stood upon it and we at once are filled with hope at the awesome sight made manifest to Peter, James and John.

"Your Disciples, O Word, threw themselves down upon the ground, unable to gaze upon the form that none may see. The Angels ministered in fear and trembling; the heavens shook and the earth quaked, as they beheld on earth the Lord of Glory." (by Anatolius)

Free people worship God by choice. Jesus, who was Transfigured on Mt Tabor, demonstrated His power --transforming all who observed His glory, "making the image that had grown dark in Adam to shine once again like lightning." Later, in the garden scene, the story will change and we will see Peter deny Him.

 God understands man in his weakness, and having provided for His disciples many examples of His wondrous works, "that they not be afraid of  His sufferings for our salvation", made the mountain as heaven in His Transfiguration, before His saving Passion, Crucifixion, death and Resurrection.

Our God offers mankind a choice based on His love, (we decide) we choose. We go to God willingly-- we are reconcilled like Peter. Any other way is likened to the fallen state of man, (the image and darkness of Adam). We put off the old man and put on the new (Christ) in Baptism. We fall down in error, and are renewed through the power of God through His Church.

It is in Exodus that Moses called out in the name of the Lord. "And the Lord passed by before his face, and called out, "The Lord God, compassionate and merciful, longsuffering, greatly-merciful, and true."And Moses, making haste, stooped down to the earth and worshipped the Lord."

Take us also to the mountain of Your love Lord, and in peace count us worthy to be made sharers of the bright rays of Your power-- in Your mercy and Your love for mankind.

The voice of the Father testified to Him from the cloud of light, saying: "Listen to Him, Who through the Cross has despoiled hell and has given the dead eternal life"!



All references have been taken from the Great Vesper Orthodox service of Aug. 6