There are many theories for what Jesus is writing in the sand.  Perhaps he is writing the sins of the Pharisees.  In “The Passion of the Christ” this scene is depicted in a unique way: as Jesus writes with his finger, the ground seems to explode.  There is power in the finger of Jesus, because it is the finger of God!   

St. Paul says, “God entrusted to us the message of reconciliation. We are ambassadors for Christ, as if God were appealing through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, to be reconciled to God.” St. Paul is speaking about the ministry of reconciliation which continues to be exercised in the Church through priests.

Dear Parents,

Please take note of the following:

In the Transfiguration last Sunday, three apostles saw the Lord in his divine glory. This is like the Mass, which is our opportunity to see the Lord’s glory, and share in the communion of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. As the disciples had to leave the world in order to ascend the mountain where they could be with the Lord in prayer, we have to leave the world and its distractions behind as we come to Church for prayer. And just as they heard Jesus conversing with Moses and Elijah, at Mass we too listen to the Scriptural readings which are a conversation between the Old Testament and its fulfillment in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The Transfiguration marks a transition in the public ministry of Jesus, as he finishes the proclamation of the Kingdom, and begins his final journey to Jerusalem where the Kingdom will be inaugurated by his death and resurrection. Tradition has it that the Transfiguration took place 40 days before the Crucifixion.