By Mark Voegele
So today is the feast day of the Transfiguration of Christ. If you want to read it, it is Matthew 17: 1-13. Jesus went up on a mountain with Peter, James, and John. There, He transformed in front of them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. Then, Moses and Elijah came down to speak with Jesus and a bright cloud appeared over them. The voice of God said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” . At that, Peter and the others fell to their knees. Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid".
Do not be afraid.
This means a great deal to me. All my life I've been a small, shy kid who was too afraid to come out of his shell in public. But a couple of years ago, I finally was able too. It was at a Catholic retreat called God in Cinci. There, people were divided into 6 or 7 different small groups. I was unlucky enough to have no one I knew in my group. I was also the only freshman in the group. I was also put into the street evangelization group. (For those of you who don't know, street evangelization is when you go out on the street and tell people about Christ and pray with them). I felt so alone. I felt so isolated. I felt so afraid.
The first day of training for street evangelization, I sat alone in the 3rd row and kept to myself. That was when I met Brad Bursa - our small group leader. He talked to me. He knew what I felt like. He helped me through the first day. The second day, more people opened up to me, and I to them. I was making new friends. Little did I know that those friends would change my life.
I have always had a slight stutter. That's why speaking in public has always been one of my greatest fears. But there was a man there who helped me get over that fear. His name is Deacon Russ. Deacon Russ was a team member on God in Cinci and helped to train us for street evangelization. He gave me the courage to get over my fear of public speaking.
The first day of doing something is always the hardest, wether it is a diet, working out, school, etc. The first day evangelizing, I was terrified. Thankfully I was paired up with a senior in high school who was named Charity. She was an extravert - the total opposite of me. She was able to just talk to random people. She had done this before. For most of the day evangelizing, Charity did all the talking while I interceded with prayer.
Later in the day, it was time that I led. We were handing out rosaries, and praying for the people when Charity suggested that I lead. I was afraid at first, but Charity convinced me. The first encounter went well. The second, even better. That was when I realized what I could do.
After that first day, everything changed. I was able to talk to random people. I was able to pray with them. I was doing things that I thought I would never be able to do. Since then, I started helping out at Mass more. I became an usher. Then a Mass Coordinator. Then, even a Lector - something that I would have never in a million years seen myself doing.
That retreat transformed me into the person I am today. And I just want to thank Brad, Deacon Russ, and Charity for helping me to overcome my fears. Just as Jesus said, you should never be afraid. There will always be someone there to help you and encourage you.
On this celebration of the Transfiguration of Our Lord, think about how Jesus has transformed your life. Whether that be in small ways or in drastic life changes. If you haven't been transformed, don't worry. God has a plan for you. God says to you, "This is my son/daughter, with whom I am well pleased." When the time comes for your transformation, take advantage and give your life to others and to Jesus.
Do not be afraid.
Do not be afraid.
This means a great deal to me. All my life I've been a small, shy kid who was too afraid to come out of his shell in public. But a couple of years ago, I finally was able too. It was at a Catholic retreat called God in Cinci. There, people were divided into 6 or 7 different small groups. I was unlucky enough to have no one I knew in my group. I was also the only freshman in the group. I was also put into the street evangelization group. (For those of you who don't know, street evangelization is when you go out on the street and tell people about Christ and pray with them). I felt so alone. I felt so isolated. I felt so afraid.
The first day of training for street evangelization, I sat alone in the 3rd row and kept to myself. That was when I met Brad Bursa - our small group leader. He talked to me. He knew what I felt like. He helped me through the first day. The second day, more people opened up to me, and I to them. I was making new friends. Little did I know that those friends would change my life.
I have always had a slight stutter. That's why speaking in public has always been one of my greatest fears. But there was a man there who helped me get over that fear. His name is Deacon Russ. Deacon Russ was a team member on God in Cinci and helped to train us for street evangelization. He gave me the courage to get over my fear of public speaking.
The first day of doing something is always the hardest, wether it is a diet, working out, school, etc. The first day evangelizing, I was terrified. Thankfully I was paired up with a senior in high school who was named Charity. She was an extravert - the total opposite of me. She was able to just talk to random people. She had done this before. For most of the day evangelizing, Charity did all the talking while I interceded with prayer.
Later in the day, it was time that I led. We were handing out rosaries, and praying for the people when Charity suggested that I lead. I was afraid at first, but Charity convinced me. The first encounter went well. The second, even better. That was when I realized what I could do.
After that first day, everything changed. I was able to talk to random people. I was able to pray with them. I was doing things that I thought I would never be able to do. Since then, I started helping out at Mass more. I became an usher. Then a Mass Coordinator. Then, even a Lector - something that I would have never in a million years seen myself doing.
That retreat transformed me into the person I am today. And I just want to thank Brad, Deacon Russ, and Charity for helping me to overcome my fears. Just as Jesus said, you should never be afraid. There will always be someone there to help you and encourage you.
On this celebration of the Transfiguration of Our Lord, think about how Jesus has transformed your life. Whether that be in small ways or in drastic life changes. If you haven't been transformed, don't worry. God has a plan for you. God says to you, "This is my son/daughter, with whom I am well pleased." When the time comes for your transformation, take advantage and give your life to others and to Jesus.
Do not be afraid.