I invite you to check our special section for the Season of Lent and some of the opportunities we are offering at our parish to connect. I also encourage you to check our special section for our Lenten Message Series - More of Him, Less of Me. We also have weekly videos for you to watch too.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus leads Peter, James and John to a seemingly very odd place: up a high mountain. The mountaintops are where God met the great prophets of the Jewish religion. Both Moses and Elijah (of whom it was foretold would return to inaugurate the coming Messiah), encountered God on Mt. Sinai. Upon arrival at the peak of the mountain, the disciples received a most unexpected surprise!
In today’s Gospel, Jesus leads Peter, James and John to a seemingly very odd place: up a high mountain. The mountaintops are where God met the great prophets of the Jewish religion. Both Moses and Elijah (of whom it was foretold would return to inaugurate the coming Messiah), encountered God on Mt. Sinai. Upon arrival at the peak of the mountain, the disciples received a most unexpected surprise!
Matthew tells us Jesus “was transfigured (transformed) before them”. As Jesus was transfigured, Moses and Elijah appeared, and they all heard the voice of the Father. Jesus had decided to show his three friends, (if they had any doubts), that hidden beneath his human form was DIVINE GLORY and he was not only the fulfilment of the law and the prophets, but of all their hopes and dreams. By their witnessing this, Jesus was letting them know how much HE LOVED THEM, and that HIS LOVE could transform their trust in him to eternal glory! Filled with joy, Peter exclaimed: “Lord, it is good that we are here”. Peter knew he had reached a good place. Very good indeed!
We are now in our second week of Lent. So, where are we? Are we in a “good place” spiritually? Had any mountaintop experiences? Hopefully our fasting is having a greater benefit than simply avoiding chocolate; our prayer is more than just some well needed quiet time; our penance has a greater value than just bringing closure to a tough relationship; and acts of charity take us to a higher place than only “a good feeling”.
If we spiritually follow Jesus “up the mountain”, our Lenten sacrifices can transfigure…. transform our lives if we let them. Our fasting can help us break our dependency on material things and move us closer to trusting Jesus to provide for our needs. Our penance can be an act of healing and unity to our families. Our works of charity can help transform individual lives and entire communities. And our prayer can be moments when we actually hear the voice of God tell us, as he did His son Jesus, “I love you” and “I am well pleased”! This would be a very good place for us to be. Very good indeed!