Atop the Mountain
“Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother,
and led them up a high mountain by themselves.”Matthew 17:1
On the Second Sunday of Lent we hear proclaimed the account of the Transfiguration where Jesus brings Peter, James, and John up the mountain. Whenever we hear of mountains we know something important is going to happen. Mountains are the places of encounter between God and man. Just as Moses encountered God in the cloud on Mount Sinai, Peter, James, and John encountered the Son of the Living God transfigured before them on the high mountain, giving them a glimpse of Jesus in His glory. Today we are invited to go up that mountain too.
The trio Peter, James, and John has been given a special privilege and they are set apart from the other Apostles not because they are more special or important but because for whatever reason God chose to reveal to them and allow them to experience things that others did not. God chose these three for this mountaintop experience. On that mountain Jesus showed Peter, James, and John a side of Him that was yet to happen in human history — Jesus in all of His glory, in the Resurrection and the Ascension.
Peter exclaimed, “It is good that we are here!” Indeed it was, and so much so that Peter offered to build tents — one for Jesus, one for Moses, and one for Elijah. But Peter got it wrong. Jesus did not bring Peter up for a camping trip and to stay a while to see the gorgeous views. This moment ought to serve as an anchor and a moment to encourage the Apostles when the journey grew difficult after Jesus ascends to the Father. To think back on this mountaintop moment, knowing that the victory has been won and that Christ is victorious and that they are sharers in His glory. Jesus did not bring them up so that they could stay, but rather so that they might have the strength and courage to go down the mountain to meet and serve the people who awaits them.
These tents that Peter offered to pitch can be thought of as our many attachments. What are the attachments in my life that keep me from following Christ and pursuing all that is good and holy? Peter did not want to go, he did not want to face what was to come, and he did not understand (yet) the mission of Jesus. Perhaps we are the same sometimes. Where are the places in our hearts that we so often want to and have pitched tents? How long have we stayed there? Perhaps it is time to pack up our things and continue with our journey. Jesus leads us, but will we follow? Let us bring to mind those mountaintop experiences — a good retreat, a “God moment,” a moving encounter, a powerful moment of grace in the sacraments — and allow them to motivate us and encourage us on our journey when we feel tempted to pitch tents. When we feel tired along our journey, pitching tents will not give us the reenergizing we need. It is the Sacraments, and encounters with God in those privileged words and actions that will nourish us, reenergize us, and point us back to Christ.
Brothers and sisters, Jesus leads us atop the mountain today. As we kneel before the Eucharist when the priest elevates the consecrated Host at Mass today, may we see Our Transfigured Lord, and, after receiving Him, courageously walk down the mountain and bring the Good News of Christ to all we come to meet.
