When something big happens, we’re often tempted to jump into action, but what we really need to do is stop and listen. Danny Gustafson, SJ, reflects on this lesson of the Transfiguration. Based on the readings for Sunday, March 13, 2022.
Don’t just do something! Stand there!
Hi, I’m Fr. Danny Gustafson, and this is my One-Minute homily.
St. Peter is one of my favorite people in the Gospels. Every time he responds to something that Jesus says or does, he’s swinging for the fences. Sometimes he hits a home run. Other times he completely misses the ball, like today. In response to Jesus’ transfiguration, Peter decides he has to do something. “Let us make three tents.” Wait, what? As the Gospel says, he did not know what he was saying.
I understand Peter’s instinct though. Sometimes when something important is happening around us, we feel like we have to immediately take action.
But that isn’t the first step in responding to God’s activity. God tells Peter, and us, what the first step is. “Listen to him.” When we find something big going on in our lives, we don’t need to spring into action immediately. Instead, let’s pause, and listen to what God might actually be asking of us in those experiences.
