We have bright souls

Jesus, teach me not to worry about how my body looks, because my mind and soul are what really matters!

Jesus went up a mountain to pray with Peter, James and John. But as He prayed, Jesus' clothes got brighter and brighter, until the Apostles couldn't look at Him! Moses and Elijah appeared, and a voice from heaven said, "This is my chosen Son. Listen to Him." Then the light faded, and the Apostles were alone with Jesus.

If you're like many other people, there are things you'd like to change about yourself. You might wish you were taller or could wallop a baseball like the Yankees at spring training; you'd like it if math wasn't hard for you and your birthmarks went away.

What lots of people forget, when they're wishing to change themselves, is that people's bodies are just the wrapping on what's inside. Everyone has a mind and soul that makes them who they really are. In this week's Gospel (Luke 9:28-36), we catch a glimpse of Jesus' "true self!"

On the outside, your body looks and works a certain way: Some people have curly hair and brown eyes and use wheelchairs; others have straight hair and green eyes and like to run.

In the Gospel story, though, we learn a little about what people's "true selves" might look like. When Jesus prays with His friends, He turns as bright as the sun! Jesus was a person, but He let His friends see what He might look like in heaven, when He didn't need His body any more.

The next time you're feeling discouraged about how your own body looks or works, remember that there's a lot more to you than your body!

You might not have the looks or abilities you want, but your soul still shines like the sun. Jesus proved that!