S3, Bonus - The Transfiguration Decade Meditation on Parenting

The mission of the Ponder and Magnify Podcast is to seek an encounter with Jesus through praying the rosary, relying on the grace of the Holy Spirit and the intercession of Mary. In this episode, listeners are invited to reflect on their parenting experiences through a decade meditation on the Transfiguration of Jesus using Matthew 17: 1-8. May we all be in Heaven together! Praise be to God!

Transcript

Jessica: 0:04

Hello, and welcome to the Ponder and Magnify Podcast, where our mission is to seek an encounter with Jesus through praying the Rosary, relying on the grace of the Holy Spirit and the intercession of Mary. I am so happy that you are here. In this episode, we will meditate on the Transfiguration of Jesus as we pray a decade of the rosary. Some backstory on this episode. Almost three years ago, John and I were invited by the Carmelite Sisters of the Divine Heart of Jesus, who run our daughter's daycare, to lead a retreat with them focused on finding God in the everyday experiences of our parenting. And John and I were tasked with leading a rosary decade within Adoration that was taking place that morning. This was the first time that John and I led a rosary together for others, and it was a truly beautiful experience for us. Afterwards, we received such encouragement from one of our beloved friends, Sister John Paul. And that's when some of the initial seeds were planted in our hearts for this podcast. So this reflection feels particularly special to us, and we're particularly grateful to the Holy Spirit. Given the theme of the retreat that this was written for, it's geared toward finding Jesus and Mary in the midst of parenting, based on some of the struggles John and I have faced as parents at times. Before we start, let's pause and reflect on what we're bringing to prayer. What are your joys in this moment? What sorrows are you feeling right now? Do you have any fears? What are you desiring? Whom do you wish to pray for? In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, amen. Jesus, we ask you to speak directly into our circumstances. Mary, thank you for praying with us and for us now. Holy Spirit, please anoint the gift of our imagination so that we might come to encounter Jesus more deeply through it. The fourth luminous mystery is the Transfiguration of Jesus. A reading from the Gospel of Matthew. After six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves, and he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, conversing with him. Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah. While he was still speaking, behold a bright cloud cast a shadow over them. Then from the cloud came a voice that said, This is my beloved son, with whom I am well pleased, listen to him. When the disciples heard this, they fell prostrate and were very much afraid. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, Rise and do not be afraid. And when the disciples raised their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus alone. Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, they will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen. At the Transfiguration, Jesus reveals his divinity in a way so apparent it cannot be lost on the apostles. Mary, by the grace of the Holy Spirit, help me to recognize God's tenderness in my ordinary family life, so the gift of his glory revealed is not lost on me. Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed are thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death, amen. At the Transfiguration, Peter, James, and John see Jesus' face shining like the sun. Mary, by the grace of the Holy Spirit, help me to see Jesus' face in the faces of my children, and respond with tenderness. Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death, amen. At the Transfiguration, in the midst of his confusion, Peter affirms, Lord, it is good that we are here. Mary, by the grace of the Holy Spirit, help me to remember that even in my most difficult or confusing moments with my children, it is good for both myself and my children that we are there together. Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed are thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death, amen. At the Transfiguration, upon seeing Jesus glorified beside Moses and Elijah, Peter immediately suggests a plan of action for next steps. The voice of God the Father gently encourages Peter to simply be present and listen. Mary, by the grace of the Holy Spirit, help me to let go of my need for productivity and task completion, and give me the grace to simply be present and listen to my children. Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed are thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death, amen. At the Transfiguration, Peter, James, and John give Jesus their time, and in doing so experience an awe inspiring moment with the Lord. Mary, by the grace of the Holy Spirit, give me strength in the moments where I feel exhausted and do not want to give my children my time or energy, so that I don't miss a potential experience of God. Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed are thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death, amen. At the Transfiguration, Peter, James, and John fall prostrate in fear, not knowing what to do. Mary, by the grace of the Holy Spirit, when I become aware of my failures as a parent and feel the sting of inadequacy, help me to hear Jesus speak to me as he does to the apostles. Rise and do not be afraid. Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed are thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death, amen. At the Transfiguration, the Father says of Jesus, This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased. Mary, by the grace of the Holy Spirit, help me to hear God say to me, My beloved child, I am well pleased with you and all of your efforts to love your children. Just keep trying. It does not go unnoticed. Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed are thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen. At the Transfiguration, the apostles experience consolation when they raise their eyes and see no one but Jesus alone. Mary, by the grace of the Holy Spirit, help me to receive consolation from an awareness of Jesus' presence in every moment, to assist me and love me in my God given call to be a parent. Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen. At the Transfiguration, it seems impossible that the apostles could have left the scene without being transfigured themselves interiorly after what had been revealed to them. Mary, by the grace of the Holy Spirit, help each experience of God's tenderness that comes through my children, transfigure me interiorly to be a greater witness to his love. Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed are thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen. At the Transfiguration, the apostles receive the gift of witnessing Jesus' power. What consolation this would have brought them through future trials. Mary, by the grace of the Holy Spirit, help me to hold in my memory the moments where I have experienced tenderness through my children, as strength and encouragement in future trials. Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed are thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end, amen. O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls to heaven, especially those in most need of thy mercy. Amen. Hail Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness and our hope. To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve, to thee do we send up our sighs mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us, and after this our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O Clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary, pray for us, O Holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Amen. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, amen. Thank you, Holy Spirit. Please, please count on our continued prayers, and we ask you humbly to be praying for us. May we all be in heaven together one day. Praise be to God.