The associated reading for this reflection can be found in your Every Sacred Sunday Mass journal or online here.
“Come, find me under the stars.”
A couple of years ago, I heard the Father inviting me to meet Him under the stars night after night. And after ignoring the invitation for weeks, I drove out to the middle of nowhere, parked my car, stood in an open field, and stared up at the countless stars that so generously hung above my head. Much like Abram, I hadn’t a clue as to what the Lord was doing when He invited me to put my faith in Him under the night sky, and the fear of being alone in the dark escaped me as I gazed upon the beauty above my head. It wasn’t as much about the stars as it was about the Father’s provision—He was reminding me that He was present. The Lord, the One who created the multitude of stars, would fulfill His promises faithfully. He would be my light and my salvation, and was revealing more of His identity. He just wanted me to show up and listen, and He would take care of the rest.
When the clouds came and cast a shadow over the disciples in today’s Gospel, they became frightened and fell silent. They heard a voice speaking over them saying, “This is my chosen Son; listen to him” and Jesus was transfigured before them. How often it is that we hear similar invitations—“Come, find me under the stars” or “Come seek me in the Eucharist”—and fall silent. Aren’t they all invitations to trust in who He is? God desires to reveal more of His heart to us; to be the One who saves, who restores, who transforms! The Lord wants to make Himself known to us and remind us that He is our life’s refuge. He loves us so, so much!
As we carry on with this week, let us ask the Lord to continue to reveal more of His splendor and majesty. Let us be open to the ways He calls us to meet Him in our daily lives as He, the King of Heaven, meets us here in the simplicity of the flesh.
Father, thank you for drawing us into deeper communion. Thank You for inviting us to know You more intimately; to trust that Your words are goodness and truth. Let us grow in our ability to see You in every detail of this life and to show up and listen whenever You call. We desire to love you more, Abba! Amen.
Katie Fitzgerald is a graphic designer settling into life in Dallas, Texas. She loves the psalms, sunflowers, Pensacola beaches, art museums, laughing, film photography, and big family dinners (with people who feel like family, even if they aren’t). You can catch her on Instagram, likely reposting prayers or words of encouragement from others.