August 6 was the Feast of Jesus Transfiguration. While all the three synoptic gospels recount this extraordinary event that took place in front of Peter, James and John a very intriguing comment made by Luke makes this wonderful experience unique.
The Lukan text says: “Now about eight days after these sayings he took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. And as he was praying, the appearance of his countenance was altered, and his raiment became dazzling white” (Luke 9: 28-29). To sum it up Jesus, the Son of God, was transfigured as he prayed.
The Lukan detail is striking. His countenance was changed, possibly became radiant with light and his garments were turned into dazzling white.
The great moral Luke wants us to learn is that as Jesus prayed his face and robes changed, meaning that his whole identity underwent a clear and definite transformation thanks to contemplation. In this Lukan pericope, we observe that the human Jesus was successful in his ministry not because he prayed for it to flourish but simply because He let his Father change and purify his identity in him. Such a lesson is sorely needed in the diverse fields of the apostolate. Sometimes we in the Church complain that certain pastoral initiatives have not taken root. More often we tend to confuse what is important with what is made up of sheer accidentals. Without the intervention of God’s Spirit our work is in vain. Like Simon Peter we turn to the Lord with utmost disappointment and tell him: “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing!” (Luke 5:5). Ironically, the malaise is detected in our plea! It is we who toiled without asking God’s assistance! Now look at the result we finally got: took nothing! What a grave frustration to contend with!
Yet the story is different when we let Jesus be at the helm of the situation. Simon Peter understood this when he told him confidently:
“But at your word I will let down the nets” (Luke 5:5). He was echoing the same summons God the Father said when the cloud overshadowed the three apostles on the mount. “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!” (Luke 9:34).
On the very day when the worldwide Church was joyfully commemorating the transfiguration episode we, the Maltese Franciscan Capuchins, lost a dear brother and friend. The humble lay brother Bro Joseph Gatt OFM Cap has been welcomed by the heavenly Father into his Kingdom of “righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Rom 14:17).
Fra Guzepp, as he was known, radiated these three pivotal virtues of God’s Kingdom. Why? Because he used to spend hours communicating with the greatest friend and confidant he had here on earth, Jesus Christ. For Fra Guzepp friendship with Jesus was the backbone of his vocation.
As the newly elected Franciscan Capuchin Provincial, Fr Martin Micallef OFM Cap, said in the funeral’s homily, “Fra Guzepp was the wise man who tried to live the message encapsulated within the voice which came out of the cloud.” Closeness with Jesus Christ made Fra Guzepp realize that he is God’s child. In Saint Josemaria Escrivá’s words, the contemplative spirit with which Fra Guzepp was imbued led him “to be light, salt and leaven through [his] prayer, through [his] mortification, through [his] knowledge of religion and … [his vocation].”
As a result of his daily face-to-face encounter with the glorious Lord Fra, Guzepp’s life became itself an ongoing transfigurating experience.
Wherever he went he carried with him Christ’s extraordinary aura of mercy, love, forgiveness, encouragement and hope. Fra Guzepp was always attentive to the needs of others especially the poor and the weak.
He was a living witness of fraternal love that takes away every form of egoism and closure.
His memory is a magnet for new vocations for consecrated life and the ministerial priesthood. May he, from heaven, intercede for us all. Do not hesitate to call for his help in times of need! Fra Guzepp, pray for us!
Fr Mario Attard OFM Cap
SAN GWANN