There is a mysterious story in 2 Kings that can help us understand what is happening in the transfiguration. 

The Gospel for the first Sunday of Lent, in all three years of the lectionary cycle, is devoted to the temptation of Jesus in the desert.

When I was in my 30's, working as an engineer in the Middle East, and before I became a priest, I made a journey to Egypt.

One Jewish philosopher once said, “If we followed the law ‘an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth’, we would all end up blind and toothless.”

Adjacent to the Epworth Hospital in Richmond, Melbourne, is an eye clinic run by Dr Medownick. Dr Medownick treats eyes in a special way, and most of his patients experience a great improvement in their sight. In the foyer of his clinic is an elephant made from basket-weave. There is an opening in its back. Satisfied patients are invited to place the glasses they no longer have use for in the elephant, for distribution in needy areas. The elephant fills quickly.

Recently while reading the Gospel story about Jesus' reception in his home town, I found myself thinking about Dr Medownick.

Our Gospel for this weekend is taken from the beginning section of the Sermon on the Mount.

At the beginning of this month in February, in the state of New South Wales where I live, the summer season brings in the longest days and shortest nights.

The coming of the child Jesus to the temple to be presented to God according to the Law of Moses took place forty days after his birth.

In our lives, many of us have “turning points” that make us work more fervently or sometimes make us do things at a more urgent pace.

Friends, we commence Ordinary Time. This is the Second Sunday of Ordinary Time. Last week we celebrated the feast of the Baptism of the Lord.

I now spend my time on the formation of young people who are discerning to become religious missionaries.

When I was a little child, my dad used to bring me to my godfather and godmother during this time. In some cultures, today is the traditional day for gift giving.

The venerable Father Patrick Peyton coined a phrase that has become a rallying guide for good family living. “The family that prays together, stays together.”

There was a story of a man who was so deeply devoted to St Joseph that when he died he was at the gates of heaven and being interviewed by St Peter.

The truth is: God is already with us.

It is just that we don’t always recognise His presence to know God’s hand at work in our lives and in the lives of others.

As we approach the 25th of December, let us graciously allow our hearts to have confidence in what it sees and to entrust ourselves to it especially in the small humble gifts of love and service we give to one another. Perhaps the time is now to make this mystery become present to others, and to allow ourselves touched by God’s graciousness.