Ever since I was a little kid I have always enjoyed magic shows. I remember going to some shows with my dad and getting hooked on the idea of something happening right before your eyes that you can’t really see. My obsession turned into a hobby of learning magic tricks and performing shows for area Catholic schools. I always let people know right off the bat that what they are about to see are tricks. I do not claim to have any sort of supernatural power. I think this makes the shows even more powerful because people know they rely on skills that have been acquired over many years of study and practice. But at the end of the day, they are just tricks and each one has a fairly easy explanation.
I think Peter was quite aware of this phenomenon when speaking in the second reading from today. He makes it quite clear that when the Apostles spoke of Jesus they did not use cleverly devised myths to speak about his power. In other words, the power of Jesus was not just a cheap trick with a simple explanation, but rather, the supernatural power of God working in a very real and tangible way. One of these miracles, which had eyewitnesses, was that of the transfiguration.
All throughout The Old Testament, the Jewish people are anticipating and searching for the Messiah who was promised in the writings of the prophets. The first reading today from Daniel is one such prophesy where Daniel exclaims that he saw the Son of Man coming like on a cloud from heaven. Fast forward to the Gospel today and we see just that, he is being raised up as if on a cloud with a bright light surrounding him and the voice of the Father saying, “This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased.” Now this illusion would be difficult even for David Copperfield to perform. The best part about it is that it was not some grand illusion, but a reality of the heavens opening up and showing us that Jesus is truly God become man.
As amazing as a magic show might be, eventually the curtain falls and the show ends and we leave knowing that we have been tricked in the best possible way. But the Gospel is not a trick. Do we have more awe for the real power God is working in our lives than we have when we see someone perform a sleight of hand? One is real and meant for our salvation, the other is fake and meant to give us a momentary pleasure. So I guess the question we can all ask today is, Where have you seen the power of God working in your lives and has it brought you to your knees in awe and wonder of our Creator?
From all of us here at Diocesan, God bless!
Desde que era un niño siempre he disfrutado de los espectáculos de magia. Recuerdo ir a algunos espectáculos con mi papá y quedarme enganchado con la idea de que algo sucediera justo delante de tus ojos que realmente no podías ver. Mi obsesión se convirtió en un pasatiempo de aprender trucos de magia y realizar espectáculos para las escuelas católicas del área. Siempre le hago saber a la gente de inmediato que lo que están a punto de ver son trucos. No pretendo tener ningún tipo de poder sobrenatural. Creo que esto hace que los programas sean aún más poderosos porque las personas saben que dependen de las habilidades que se han adquirido durante muchos años de estudio y práctica. Pero al final del día, solo son trucos y cada uno tiene una explicación bastante fácil.
Creo que Pedro era bastante consciente de este fenómeno cuando habló en la segunda lectura de hoy. Deja muy claro que cuando los Apóstoles hablaron de Jesús no usaron mitos ingeniosamente ideados para hablar de su poder. En otras palabras, el poder de Jesús no era solo un truco barato con una explicación simple, sino el poder sobrenatural de Dios obrando de una manera muy real y tangible. Uno de estos milagros, que tuvo testigos presenciales, fue el de la transfiguración.
A lo largo del Antiguo Testamento, el pueblo judío anticipa y busca al Mesías prometido en los escritos de los profetas. La primera lectura de hoy de Daniel es una de esas profecías donde Daniel exclama que vio al Hijo del Hombre venir como una nube del cielo. Avance rápido al Evangelio de hoy y vemos exactamente eso, está siendo elevado como en una nube con una luz brillante que lo rodea y la voz del Padre que dice: “Este es mi hijo amado en quien tengo complacencia”. Ahora bien, esta ilusión sería difícil de realizar incluso para un mágico como David Copperfield. La mejor parte de esto es que no fue una gran ilusión, sino una realidad de los cielos abriéndose y mostrándonos que Jesús es verdaderamente Dios hecho hombre.
Por asombroso que pueda ser un espectáculo de magia, eventualmente cae el telón y el espectáculo termina y nos vamos sabiendo que hemos sido engañados de la mejor manera posible. Pero el Evangelio no es un truco. ¿Tenemos más asombro por el poder real que Dios está obrando en nuestras vidas que cuando vemos a alguien realizar un juego de manos? Uno es real y destinado a nuestra salvación, el otro es falso y destinado a darnos un placer momentáneo. Entonces, supongo que la pregunta que todos podemos hacer hoy es: ¿Dónde han visto el poder de Dios obrando en sus vidas y los ha puesto de rodillas con asombro de nuestro Creador?
De parte de todos nosotros aquí en Diocesan, ¡Dios los bendiga!
Tommy Shultz is a Business Development Representative for Diocesan. In this role he is committed to bringing the best software to dioceses and parishes while helping them evangelize on the digital continent. Tommy has worked in various diocese and parish roles since his graduation from Franciscan University with a Theology degree. He hopes to use his skills in evangelization, marketing, and communications, to serve the Church and bring the Good News to all. His favorite quote comes from St. John Paul II, who said, “A person is an entity of a sort to which the only proper and adequate way to relate is love.”
Feature Image Credit: Edson Junior, unsplash.com/photos/YlgnX_ISPLo
Emily Jaminet is a Catholic author, speaker, radio personality, wife, and mother of seven children. She earned a bachelor’s degree in mental health and human services from the Franciscan University of Steubenville. She is the co-founder of 
Sheryl is happy to be the number 1 cheerleader and supporter for her husband, Tom who is a candidate for the Permanent Diaconate in the Diocese of Kalamazoo. They are so grateful for the opportunity to grow together in this process. Sheryl’s day job is serving her community as the principal for St. Therese Catholic School in Wayland, Michigan. Since every time she thinks she gets life all figured out, she realizes just how far she has to go, St. Rita of Cascia is her go-to Saint for intercession and help. Home includes Carlyn, a very, very goofy Golden Retriever and Lucy, our not-so-little rescue puppy. 
Dakota lives in Denver, CO with her husband, Ralph, and their two sons, Alfie & Theophilus. She is the Dean of Enrollment Management for Bishop Machebeuf High School where her husband also teaches. You can find Dakota at the zoo or a brewery with her family or with her nose in a book at home. For more of Dakota’s writing check out 
Leslie Sholly is a Catholic, Southern wife and mother of five, living in her hometown, Knoxville, Tennessee. She graduated from Georgetown University with an English major and Theology minor. She blogs at 
Kathryn Mulderink, MA, is married to Robert, Station Manager for Holy Family Radio. Together they have seven children (including Father Rob), and seven grandchildren. She is President of the local community of Secular Discalced Carmelites and has published five books and many articles. Over the last 30 years, she has worked as a teacher, headmistress, catechist, Pastoral Associate, and DRE, and as a writer and voice talent for Catholic Radio. Currently, she serves the Church by writing and speaking, and by collaborating with various parishes and to lead others to encounter Christ and engage their faith. Her website is 
Deacon Dan Schneider is a retired general manager of industrial distributors. He and his wife Vicki have been married for over 50 years. They are the parents of eight children and thirty grandchildren. He has a degree in Family Life Education from Spring Arbor University. He was ordained a Permanent Deacon in 2002. He has a passion for working with engaged and married couples and his main ministry has been preparing couples for marriage.
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