Jesus took and led them up

Listening to the Spirit

Holy God, from the dazzling cloud you revealed Jesus in glory as your beloved Son.

During these forty days, enlighten your church with the bright glory of your presence.

Inspire us by your word, and so transform us into the image of the risen Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.

Listening to the Word

Mt 17:1-9

Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, conversing with him. Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, "Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud cast a shadow over them, then from the cloud came a voice that said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him." When the disciples heard this, they fell prostrate and were very much afraid. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, "Rise, and do not be afraid." And when the disciples raised their eyes, they saw no one else but Jesus alone.

As they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, "Do not tell the vision to anyone until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead."

Reflection

What does it take to become witnesses? The disciples who “Jesus took and led up a high mountain” – Peter, James, and John – are well known figures in the gospels in terms of their strengths and failures. These three chosen are the representation of all disciples who are able to listen to the call and go up with the Master.

Seeing them and their experience at the mountain, all of us likewise must feel the desire to go through similar path, not because one finds himself special but as chosen to contemplate the true face of Jesus. Awareness of the experience in itself does not make a witness; rather, opens the way.

We must bear in mind that the witness of Christ is neither one who has acted right and passed the “test” nor another painted with all the spiritual cosmetics, but the poor, fearful and unprepared disciple, most of the time caught by surprise, who is nothing and has nothing because he has totally surrendered himself and entrusted all he has to the Lord. These are the ones chosen to go up with Him and contemplate His glory.

The Lord needs witnesses who have become totally unconcerned about themselves because they have seen and heard on Tabor “what no eye has seen, nor ear has heard...”. Only people who have become detached from themselves can have impact on others as witnesses of Christ.

Jesus is the one taking and leading all disciples up to glory. One must consider that the Transfiguration is more than an event as it is an account wherein everyone must take part. The experience of Transfiguration is necessary for all. What is asked from everyone is only to listen to Him, not about qualities and achievements. In the attitude of listening, all our imperfections, fears, lack of preparation will be transformed/transfigured with Him. In our Lenten journey, there is no better time than this when He takes and leads us up to see His face and listen to His voice.