Jesus took Peter, James and John to the top of a mountain to show them who He really was – not just a great prophet, but God’s own Son. We often hear this familiar phrase when we embark on a trip: “Another mountain walk? When you’ve seen one (mountain), you’ve seen them all.” That may be true if we are only sightseeing, but when we head to a place seeking an encounter with God, each experience is unique, personal and deeply life-changing.
Moses and Elijah (v.30) represent the Law and the Prophets – the First Covenant between God and the Jews, the whole of Jewish tradition. Jesus, the New Covenant, in speaking with Moses and Elijah (v.31), reveals He has come to fulfil the First Covenant symbolised in both the Law and the Prophets: “’Do not imagine that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have come not to abolish but to complete them.’” (Matthew 5:17).
Peter, James and John, who walked with Jesus from the day they were called to follow Him, had the tremendous privilege of climbing the mountain with Him to pray (v. 28). On their mountain trek, they saw Jesus transfigured in His glory – “the aspect of his face was changed and his clothing became sparkling white” (v. 29). Similarly, when we climb mountains, what do we hope to see, to experience? Is it to admire a splendid view or to see the beauty of creation from a fresh perspective? Do we climb mountains to get away from the hustle and bustle or the humdrum routines of our life? Lent is a time for us to climb mountains, to seek an encounter with God and be in the presence of the One who created all things beautiful. We may climb mountains as an escape, but instead we find faith, hope and love.
Do we climb mountains to get away from the hustle and bustle or the humdrum routines of our life?
Where are your mountains today?
Where do you go to seek an encounter with Jesus?
Is it through prayer, adoration before the Blessed Sacrament, regular Eucharistic Celebrations and retreats?
Questions for Reflection
It is understandable that in the presence of such wonder, Peter wished to prolong the moment by building three tents (v. 33). Our encounters with God on the mountain are not for us to linger in, but intended to transfigure us so that we may be strengthened on our journey. Where are your mountains today? Where do you go to seek an encounter with Jesus? Is it through prayer, adoration before the Blessed Sacrament, regular Eucharistic Celebrations and retreats? The Lord Jesus will come into our lives in many different ways, what He needs is only our humble docility and openness to His love.
What many of us yearn for but know not how to ask for is a transfiguration of our lives.
The transfiguration of our Lord gives us a glimpse of the glory of the Resurrected Christ, which we eagerly look forward to at His second coming. The disciples were encouraged and strengthened as they “saw His glory”, since only a few days before Jesus had told them that “the Son of man is destined to suffer grievously, to be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes and to be put to death…” (v. 22). So, as we renounce ourselves, take up our cross and follow Jesus (v. 23), let us take comfort in knowing that good things are laid up in store for us.
With love and gratitude,
Faith & Margie
