Second Sunday of Lent

“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

The story (I believe) calls each one of us to examine what mountain we must climb to see God’s glory. You can call the mountain whatever you will – it’s your personal mount to climb. Everyone’s mountain is different; but, to witness God’s glory, we must climb our “mountain”. When we reach the mountaintop, we must stay alert, and have the insight to know that we are at the top. The disciples could have missed Jesus’ transfiguration if they:

had been too busy taking in the view
were gloating over their status or talking about those they’d left behind
wondering about what was on the agenda for tomorrow
how long were they going to be up on this mountain anyway
wondering if there would there be time to finish what they had started when Jesus summoned them
were bickering over who was going to get use the walking stick going down the mountain
and, asking who’s going to provide the fish for tonight’s supper?

You fill in the blanks. You know what it is that keeps you from seeing God’s glory. Our reading reminds us that Jesus went up the mountain to pray and as he was praying his appearance changed. Prayer changes us too when we move away from telling God how to run the world. Prayer may or may not change the situation, but it most certainly will change us. The only difference between the written word MOM and WOW is our perception! On the mountain Jesus did not change His shape but suddenly the disciples’ perception changed and they were able to see Jesus in a whole way.

So, what causes you to miss the “small miracles”, the “everyday transfigurations” in nature, in yourself, and in each other? We need to thank God when we get to the top of the mountain; but we can hardly stay there. There are more mountains to climb. While you are at the top, if only for an instant, don’t miss the transfiguration.

Jesus did not become “more God” that day on the mountain. I don’t think the change was 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. Transfigurations we sometimes call “miracles” are all around us IF we but have the eyes to see.

Miracle of God’s graciousness when a person holds a door open for another
Miracle of God’s loving-care when a chair is vacated to give another a seat
Miracle of God’s inclusion when we make space at table
Miracle of God’s mercy when a mistake is not challenged in public
Miracle of God’s hospitality when an open invitation is extended
Miracle of God’s steadfastness when day after day we gather for communal exercises
Miracle of God’s perseverance when we come through tough times – individually and as a community
Miracle of God’s humility when reconciliation occurs
Miracle of God’s generosity when we give from our need
Miracle of God’s compassion when an offer is extended before the other has to ask
Miracle of God’s humor when it rains on our picnics
Miracle of God’s artistry in the beauty of nature that surrounds us
And always, God, thank you for the miracle of tomorrow: the gift of a new sunrise, a new slate, a new beginning.

Make your own litany of miracles. God is already there, is here. Jesus invites us up the mountain and leads the way. We just need to open our eyes to witness the transfiguration.

~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB