4

THE TRANSFIGURATION
ON THE MOUNTAIN

Sometimes we need to escape.

Ever feel that way.

Sometimes we need to get away from it all.

Sometimes we need to see life in a different perspective.

Sometimes we need to see others in a new light!

Sometimes Jesus felt crowded in from every side.

Sometimes Jesus needed to get away from it all.

Sometimes he’d hide in the dark of night.

Sometimes he’d find a deserted place.

He recommended going into one’s inner room and being with the Father in prayer.

Then there was the day he went to the mountains.

This was to be a special moment.

He invited three of his closest friends to be with him.

Matthew, Mark and Luke
all tell the story about
this invitation to Peter, James and John
to climb the mountain with him.

Jesus was transfigured before them.
They were transfixed in the Light of the World.

They were so overwhelmed that they wanted to stay there forever.

Honeymoons end! Celebrations cease! We have to go home – even though it’s a wonderful wedding.

It’s important to know we’ve touched the heights.

But life is also the depths – the valleys – the down below.

Without the heights, we can’t deal with the depths.

Concerts, plays, games, can be transfiguration moments.

Hopefully, church moments, Mass moments, prayer moments top them all.

Hopefully, some Sundays in church we see Christ, family, friends, strangers, life itself
in a new light.

Martin Luther King Jr. is known for
his powerful preaching and powerful images – which he culled from the mountains of “I’ve been to the mountain.”

He had a Transfiguration moment at his kitchen table and after that – not matter what happened in the valley – he could take it, because he was to the mountain.

Those who have mountains to look at
from their windows tell us they are a constant source of strength.

Church spires try to touch the skies and those who see them from a distance are inspired.

Most of life however takes place in the valley.

The great Christian mystery and message
is that God came down from the mountains of eternity, the mountains of night, from way beyond the furthest clouds and became a plain baby wrapped in swaddling clothes.

Jesus learned to walk and talk, 
laugh and reach out for beards and beads,
and began walking the valley.

Jesus made the words
of Psalm 23 become flesh
as he dwelt amongst us.

Jesus is the Good Shepherd,
who walks the valley floor with us.

Jesus is the Searching Shepherd,
who tries to find us – especially
when we try to climb the heights alone
and get caught in thickets.

Jesus the Smiling Shepherd
brings us back home to the sheepfold
after he finds us lost in the mountains.