Franciscan at Home

Forming those who form others

Miracles of Jesus: The Transfiguration & the Raising of the Son of the Widow of Nain

Msgr. Paul Watson proposes that we catechise on two ‘new creation’ events that are linked to Elijah.

The reader may by puzzled by the decision to link together the two incidents of the Transfiguration (Luke 9:28-36 and parallels) and the raising of the widow of Nain’s son (Luke 7:11-17). There are two reasons for this decision. In the first place, both miracles are what C.S.Lewis would classify as ‘new creation’ miracles; and secondly, the two events are linked through reference to Elijah.

In previous articles we have considered two ‘old creation’ miracles - that is, miracles in which Jesus acts in a way that God always acts in Nature – changing water into wine or transforming corn or fish into an abundance. Such actions reveal nature’s dependence upon God and are examples of a more fundamental principle: that a higher order of being enters the realm of a lower order of being, giving that lower order meaning and purpose.

A ‘new creation’ miracle is quite different. In such miracles God is revealing a new purpose and a new order of reality. For C.S.Lewis, the primary ‘new creation’ miracle is the Resurrection – by which God is bringing about a new form of existence for humanity and which is first manifested in the humanity of God’s incarnate Son. In the second volume of his work, Jesus of Nazareth, Pope Benedict speaks of the Resurrection as an ‘ontological leap’ or as an ‘evolutionary leap’ – a completely new and unprecedented mode of existence. In revealing this new mode of existence, God is also revealing the ultimate destiny of the human race.

The rest of this online article is available for current Guild members.

Join the Guild today!

Msgr. Paul J. Watson is the Director Emeritus of Maryvale Institute, where he teaches Scripture, spirituality and catechesis. Ordained January 12, 1974, he has served as pastor for many parishes. He was awarded an S.T.L. Summa Cum Laude (Spirituality) from Gregorian University in Rome, and has written a course book for Maryvale’s BA in Applied Theology / BA Divinity on the “Church’s Developing Vision of Catechesis” as well as a course book on "The Christian Tradition of Spiritual Formation" for the MA in Religious and Educational Studies. Msgr. Paul jointly launched, and regularly contributes to, a monthly magazine Bible Alive of Scriptural catechesis and personal spirituality.

This article is from The Sower and may be copied for catechetical purposes only. It may not be reprinted in another published work without the permission of Maryvale Institute. Contact [email protected]

Categorized Under

Categorized Under:

Scriptural Catechesis

Issue:

32.3

Articles from the Most Recent Issue

Editor's Reflections— The Eucharistic Congress and the Missionary Year

Catholics in the United States have a long history of hosting both national and international Eucharistic congresses. The first of these was in Washington, DC, in 1895, and the last was in Philadelphia in 1976. If your ancestors were Catholic and lived in North America, they may have participated in one of these congresses—in St. Louis (1901), or New York... Read more

Missionary Worship

There is an interesting phenomenon that occurs in nearly every culture across history: man ritualizes worship. All over the world the similarities are astounding—animal sacrifices, burnt offerings, gifts of grain, the joy of ecstatic praise. It points to a universal sense within man that not only recognizes that there is a God but also knows that man is called to... Read more

Ask, Seek, Knock: The Pitfalls and Potential of Catholic Door-to-Door Evangelization

“He’s just too small,” sobbed a woman we had just met. It was a sunny summer day, and the pastor, transitional deacon, and I were out knocking on doors within our parish boundaries. This woman’s door was within eyesight of the rectory, and it happened to be the first one we had visited. The conversation had started off just as... Read more

About Franciscan Catechetics

The Catechetics Degree Programs and the Catechetical Institute (CI) at Franciscan University of Steubenville work in concert to prepare clergy, religious and laity to join the “army of catechists” called for by St. John Paul II, eager to help the Church in her mission of making all nations joyful disciples of Jesus Christ. We combine a thorough formation in Sacred Scripture, Sacred Tradition, and Magisterial documents with training in effective pedagogical techniques to help those we serve to grasp the truth, goodness, and beauty of the Father’s plan, and to bear witness to others faithfully of the wonderful life of grace in the Holy Spirit.

Designed & Developed by On Fire Media, Inc.

語言