Today
we have the powerful story of the Transfiguration. Jesus takes Peter, John and James up the mountain to
pray. While Jesus is praying his
face change in appearance and his clothing become dazzling white. Moses and Elijah are conversing with
Jesus when Peter and the others wake from sleep. It is not surprising that Peter wakes up with an action plan. That bold disciple who is always ready
to jump in or speak out is overcome with the glory of it all and declares,
“Master, it is good that we are here; let us make three tents, one for you, one
for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
Of course he did not know what he was saying. He did not know what would come next. A voice from heaven says, “This is
my chosen Son, listen to him.”
We,
like Peter, have all had mountaintop experiences. Those moments in our lives when we are so deeply aware of
God’s shining presence in our lives.
Knowing that Christ is the chosen One and, that in listening to him, we
become his chosen disciples. I
think it is natural to want to stay on the mountaintop, to freeze those
moments, to make them last forever.
It is interesting to note that this encounter comes as the disciples are
on their way with Jesus to Jerusalem.
We, too, are called to walk with Jesus, not only on the mountaintop but also
on the road of life and sometimes that’s difficult and painful. We are called to make real the gift of
the mountaintop experience in our everyday life. It is when we can hold onto the experience of knowing God’s
light so clearly even in the midst of our road Jerusalem that Jesus’ message
becomes real in our lives.
As
I prayed with this Gospel it had a meaning for me that it has never had
before. Maybe it’s because it will
be read at Mass tomorrow, which is also my parents’ 51st Wedding
Anniversary. Last year we
celebrated their Golden Anniversary with great joy and celebration. Their love for one another was so
evident and we rejoiced in it and thanked them for their faithful witness to
the vows they had made to one another.
God’s presence in their love for one another was so very clear. It was a
wonderful celebration and it was good to be there. This year my mom will go to visit my dad and he won’t recognize
her. As she shares memories of
their life together, he won’t remember that he was a part of all those memories. Tomorrow when my mom goes to spend time
with my dad it won’t be the mountaintop experience that it was last year. She now walks that difficult road that
we are all called to walk in different ways and in different
circumstances. She must hold onto
the promise that God is just as present to her in these painful times as God
was on the mountaintop. The
blessing and grace in all of it is that the One who is part of those
mountaintop experiences, the shining light that holds us all in love, walks
with us on the road to Jerusalem.
We are never alone and can count on the Chosen one who chooses us to
walk beside us companioning us along the way.
As
we journey through this season of Lent, may we remember the mountaintop
experiences of our lives. Let us be grateful that just as God was with us then, God
is with us now holding and sustaining us in love.
Reflection
What
are some of the mountaintop experiences of your life? How do you take those experiences into your daily life even
when some days are difficult?
God
of all time,
We thank
you for those mountaintop times in our life
That
help us know your deep presence to us and your powerful love for us.
Give
us the grace to not forget this same presence and love
As we
journey through each day of our lives.
We
ask this through your Son in whom you are well pleased.
Amen
