Dear Parishioners and Friends,
The critically acclaimed film “Oppenheimer” chronicles the life of J. Robert Oppenheimer, who was pivotal in the development of the atomic bomb which fell on the city of Hiroshima, Japan on August 6, 1945. A second bomb was released over the city of Nagaski three days later, forcing the surrender of Japan to end the Second World War. Together, the two bombings caused the deaths of approximately 226,000 people, most of them civilians.
As the Church celebrates the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord on the same date as the detonation of the first atomic weapon, a horrific irony comes into play. The bright light which transfigured the face of Jesus on the top of a mountain stands in stark contrast to the blinding light of a man-made weapon of mass destruction.
In a further touch of irony, a Canadian missionary, Fr. Harold McSherry, who served in Hiroshima in the post-war period, noted that in the Japanese language the word used to translate “transfiguration” could also mean “disfiguration.” In stark contrast to the shining revelation of Jesus as the beloved Son of God, the light of disfiguration from the atomic bombs caused terrifying devastation.
Jesus came to us as the Light of the World. He was unrelenting in his commitment to peace, to nonviolence, to God’s command to love one another; indeed, to love one’s enemies. His message is simply stated, but not quite so easy to live out in our complex modern world.
The author of today’s second reading tells his community: “We possess the prophetic message that is altogether reliable. You will do well to be attentive to it, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.”
If we hold to this message, we will be doing our part to ensure that the devastating light of Hiroshima and Nagaski will never again afflict any of God’s children. In doing so, we will know that we have heard the voice of God: “This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.”
Blessings on your week ahead!
Fr. Tim Shreenan, O.F.M.Pastor
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