A Few Words On "The Word"

March 12, 2006
The Second Sunday of Lent

Mark 9: 2-10

How's My Soulsight?

You've probably noticed that one of the things Peacebuilders Initiative does is sharpen your ability to see, to see conflict in new ways, to imagine paths to resolve conflicts by building peace. And we're not talking optometry here. We train our eyes-glasses, contacts, no matter-to see with our souls. More soulsight than eyesight.

Try this. (C'mon. Do it!) Look at something in your room that's been there like, forever. Pick a picture or poster, maybe. Set your alarm clock to buzz in five minutes. Then stop reading this and look at the pic or poster until the buzz.

See anything new? Remember anything important? (Like why you liked it in the first place, or who gave it to you?)

Sometimes we think we see something or more importantly, someone-it's there all the time; yup, see him, see her everyday in Math. Yet if we stop and take time to truly look, to look longer, harder, we see something new, something deeper. This is seeing with our souls as well as our eyes. Practice seeing the good in people this week.

Peter, James and John saw Jesus everyday. Figured they knew him. Yet when they climbed Mount Tabor together to take time "apart by themselves," all of a sudden, Jesus "was transfigured before them." They see him dazzling, chillin' all of a sudden with Elijah and with Moses. Elijah represents all the prophets, all those who speak for God. Moses is the great freedom fighter who brings the way of life to the people. The disciples see Jesus as the one whom the prophets all looked for, as the one who frees us from death itself. In other words, Pedro, Jaime and Juanito see Jesus-maybe for the first time but not the last-- for who he is truly is.

Now for the hard part. Look in the mirror. How do you see yourself? Want to see yourself honestly? Pray this week: "Loving God, help me to see myself as you see me. "

God's soulsight is the sharpest there is. God sees you deeply, truly, honestly. Sure, God sees the faults, the failings. But God also sees-better than we ever do ourselves-the good stuff, too. This is where we tend to be a bit blind. Practice seeing the good in yourself this week.

When you begin to see yourself as God sees you, listen up. Chances are you're gonna hear what Jesus heard. You're gonna hear God say, "You are my beloved." (You'll probably hear this is your soul more than in your ear. Or you'll hear it in the comment of a friend or read it written by your teacher on some assignment, in much less mushy words.)

Can you think of the first time in the gospel that Jesus heard this voice, saying the exact same thing? (Check out Mark 1: 11.) What happened to Jesus happened to you, too. So you can be sure that God's telling you the same thing!

Reflection Question

Why is it so difficult to see the good in ourselves?

Join us in our Forum to discuss these questions!