“Jesus took Peter, James and his brother John off by themselves and led hem up a high mountain.” This transfiguration account appears just after Jesus has reminded the disciples, “Whoever loses your life for My sake, and the gospel – will save your life. Jesus lets these remarks soak in and take root for six days before he sets off up the mountain with Peter, James and John in tow.
The story (I believe) calls each one of us to examine what mountains we have yet to climb to see God’s glory. We could apply the story to death or a near-death experience, but if we do that, we miss the everyday mountains that we must scale. Call those mountains what you will, we must climb them to witness God’s glory: hurdles, challenges, enticing temptations, near occasions of sin, quirks of personality, Lenten resolutions, pet peeves… They can be like a grain of sand inside your shoe. Other times, they may feel like huge boulders that we need a backhoe to lever inch by inch. Everyone’s mountain is different. To witness God’s glory, we must each climb our own “mountains”.
As we become aware that we are nearing a mountaintop, we must relax take a breather, yes, but with our spirit-eyes open to see God’s glory. Stay alert, careful not to misread the signs; have the insight to know that we are at the top. Gaze on the God of the Revelation. In awe we may wonder: Why did God choose me? Why does God love me so much?
What causes us to miss the “small miracles”, the “everyday transfigurations”? The “Emmaus” moments along the path to Life? Gently remind yourself, that Jesus and the disciples also went back down the mountain. Thank God when you get to top and do not be distracted with worry over “what’s going to happen next?”
Jesus did not become “more God” that day on the mountain. It seems to me the change was not so much in Jesus, as it was in the disciples. They were ready. They had climbed the mountain. And their eyes were open to witness the miracle of the moment. What are those moments in your life? Maybe it happens at the Consecration of the Mass or when you look across the dining table or at confreres across the aisle in chapel.
God is already there; is right here NOW. Jesus invites us to go up the mountain with Him. He leads the way. We must open our awareness to witness the transfiguration. God reveals the Son little by little to those who take the time and interest to stay with him. When we follow His lead, stay with the experience, do what it takes to build our relationship, foster life with the Other; in essence we live out our vow of stability; our promise of “stick-to-tive-ness.
~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB
First Reading: Genesis 15:5-12, 17-18 Second Reading: Philippians 3:17-4:1
Gospel: Luke 9:28b-36
Leave a Reply