Episode Transcript  

One

The Transfiguration

It’s easy to feel like going to Mass and Confession regularly doesn’t impact us or the world. But a deeper understanding of the Feast of the Transfiguration will show us that the Mass and Confession are the direct ways in which Jesus comes into our lives, does battle with Satan, and drives him out.

The Transfiguration marks a crucial turning point in Jesus’ ministry, focusing on his impending Journey to Jerusalem to suffer, die, and rise. Jesus chose Mt. Tabor for this event because it overlooks the valley of Armageddon, the place where the most decisive battles in the history of the world were fought. 

Why there? Because Israel or Palestine is the land bridge between Europe, Africa, and Asia. And if you want to control those areas, then you must control the crossing point, which is the Jezreel Valley, otherwise known as the valley of Armageddon. 

So, Jesus brought Peter, James, and John to the top of Mt. Tabor overlooking the valley of Armageddon, where the greatest battles in the history of the world took place, to prepare them to enter with Him into the most important battle of human history, the battle between Jesus and Satan waged on Mt. Calvary.

Now, the Book of Revelation describes this. The Book of Revelation is not primarily about a battle at the end of the world with planes and soldiers or even nuclear weapons. The Book of Revelation is primarily about a battle that has already taken place. Jesus conquering Satan, and that victory is made present in the Mass and confession.

Two

The Book of Revelation and its Context

In Revelation chapter 12, the battle lines are drawn. There we see the Great Red Dragon, Satan. Chapter 14 introduces the Lamb, Jesus, standing on Mount Zion. And in Chapter 16, the combatants come together for the “war of the Great Day of God Almighty.” And where do they assemble? The place called Armageddon.

Then the Book of Revelation compares King Josiah, the only righteous king of Israel, with Jesus, the ultimate King of the Universe. When King Josiah was in his early 30’s, he cleansed the Temple, he celebrated a New Passover with his friends, and then he is struck down in battle by Pharaoh Neco in the Valley of Armageddon when he was pierced in the heart by archers.

When Jesus was 33 years old. He too cleansed the Temple. He celebrated a New Passover with the twelve Apostles at the Last Supper. Then He was struck down in battle against the Devil when a sword pierced His Sacred Heart on the Cross.

Three

A Fountain of Grace

The Book of Revelation continues this comparison between Josiah and Jesus. In chapter 16, verse 17, an angel cries out, “It is done!” From the Cross Jesus cried out, “It is finished.” Immediately in Revelation 16, verse 18, there was a great earthquake. Likewise, the instant Jesus dies, there is an Earthquake. Then John tells us, “One of the soldiers pierced the heart of Jesus with a spear and at once there came out blood and water.” And then John writes, “Because all this happened to fulfil the words of scripture: ‘They will look on the one whom they have pierced.’”

This is a prophecy from Zechariah 12:10. Listen to it: “When they look on him whom they have pierced, they shall mourn for him as one mourns for an only child and weep bitterly over him, as one weeps over a firstborn. On that day the mourning in Jerusalem will be as great as the mourning for Hadad-rimmon in the plain of Megiddo.” Hadad–rimmon is Josiah. And the plain of Megiddo is Armageddon. Then Zechariah says, “On that day there shall be a fountain opened for the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to cleanse them from sin and uncleanness.” 13:1

“A fountain.” When is a fountain opened that will cleanse us from sin? On Calvary, when Jesus was pierced in His heart and out flowed the blood and water. The Book of Revelation is saying that the battle of Armageddon is the battle between Jesus and Satan, and that battle has already been waged. And Jesus is already the victor. And the Fountain which cleanses us from sin is the Blood and Water flowing from the Sacred Heart of Jesus in John 19:34, which flows down to us in the water of Baptism and His Precious Blood in the Eucharist!

Four

The True Meaning of Armageddon

Armageddon is not primarily a battle in the future. The Battle of Armageddon was the decisive struggle between Jesus and Satan on Calvary. By dying and rising from the dead, Jesus defeated Satan. He defeated sin and death. In fact, Paul tells us in Colossians 2:15, “He defeated the principalities and powers and made a public display of them, triumphing over them.”

The Book of Revelation is about a battle that has already taken place. And that victory is made present in the Mass and Confession so that Jesus can continue to conquer Satan, sin, and death in us.

Five

Participation in Christ's Victory

Jesus took Peter, James, and John to the top of Mount Tabor where they would overlook the valley of Armageddon, in order to prepare them for the greatest battle in history.

Now that battle is over and Jesus has already won. But His victory is not locked away in the past. Every Mass makes Calvary present. Every time we receive Communion we are united to the Victor. Every Confession applies His victory to our soul, breaks the chains of sin, and drives Satan out.

This is why the Mass and Confession matter so much. They are not merely religious obligations. They are the very places where the triumph of Christ reaches us today.

So, as a resolution, come to the fountain opened on Calvary that cleanses us from every sin. How about one more daily Mass this week? And let’s make the firm commitment to go to Confession this month.

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