Reflection for March 5, 2023

Second Sunday of Lent (A)

Genesis 12:1-4A | Psalm 33:4-5, 18-19, 20, 22. | 2 Timothy 1:8B-10 | Matthew 17:1-

Last Sunday, Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil thrice but successfully resisted each test by using God’s Word. That desert encounter was a good reminder of how we must spiritually discipline ourselves through prayer, fasting and works of piety especially in this Season of Lent. Let us move on from that desert encounter as our Lord takes us today to a mountain-top experience.

Mountains are often used in the Bible as the stages of important encounters between God and his people. Noah’s ark landed at Mt. Ararat where he saw the rainbow of God’s promise. Abraham's obedience was tested at Mt. Moriah. Moses received the Ten Commandments at Mt. Sinai. Elijah proved to the people that God is the one true God at Mt. Carmel. Jesus delivered his famous Sermon on Mount Eremos. He was crucified on Mount Calvary and ascended to heaven from Mount Olivet. There is always something awe-inspiring about mountains. The top of a mountain is a natural place for encountering God.  It's small wonder that many monasteries, seminaries, convents and retreat centers nowadays were built to sit on mountains and hills.

What is the best religious experience that has ever happened to you? Did you wish that you could stay in that mountaintop experience forever? What do those great experiences mean to you now? Our Gospel tells us today that Peter, James and John had had the ultimate mountaintop experience with the Lord on Mount Tabor. Before their eyes, the Jesus they had known and with whom they walked became transfigured. His countenance was radiant; his garments streaming with white light. At his side, enveloped in glory, stood Moses, the mighty liberator, who had led Israel out of slavery, and Elijah, the greatest of Israel’s prophets. The Transfiguration of Jesus might be described as one of Jesus' greatest moments. It might well have been a “greatest moment” in the lives of his disciples, Peter, James, and John as well.

First, the Transfiguration reminds us that glorification is only attained through the way of the cross. To return to God in glory, Jesus had to embrace passion and death. In the same way, it is through many persecutions that we must enter the Kingdom of God. Do you want to share in Jesus’ glory? You will have to follow His footsteps by carrying your cross. You might have lost your job, broke up with your longtime partner, went bankrupt, got failing grades in school, bullied by peers or got very sick but your mountaintop experiences should remind you to persevere and remain faithful to Him despite the trying situation you're in. When your cross is heavy or when you are tempted to despair about the meaning of life, our Lord constantly reminds us to look beyond the pain and remember those glimpses of God, those times when God sent us his consolations. As Saint Paul wrote in his second letter to Timothy, "Bear your share of hardship for the gospel with the strength that comes from God." No effort will be wasted because our hardships will surely bear fruit. Do you easily get discouraged in the face of difficulties and trials? Do you trust God to straighten out the mess in your life?

Aida was an adventurous mountaineer who seriously wanted to conquer Mt. Apo, the country's highest mountain peak. After years of arduous preparation, she initiated her climb. She wanted to make a name for herself as an outstanding woman mountaineer so she went to climb solo. She wanted to summit 9,692 feet in less than 4 days. Complete darkness has set in as Day 1one of her climb was about to end. Everything was black, zero visibility, and the moon and the stars were covered by the clouds. No matter what, Aida did not want to camp for the night. She plans to keep climbing the mountain. As she neared a ridge at about a hundred meters from the top, she accidentally slipped and fell into the total darkness below. She felt a terrible sensation of being pulled down violently by gravity. In those helpless moments, memories flashed through her mind, both good and bad. She was almost certain she would die. Suddenly, she felt a jolt that almost tore her in half. At last! She secured hold to the rope attached to her waist harness. In those moments of stillness, suspended in the air she had no other choice but to shout, "Help me, God! Help me!" And lo a voice from heaven, saying, "What do you want me to do?" She replied, "Save me." "Do you trust me?" asked the voice. "Of course, my God," she replied. "Then, cut the rope that is holding you up," the voice commanded. "What? Are you serious?" She replied. "Cut the rope!" The voice repeated. She hung from the ropes, too terrified to let go. “I think I am alone now...God has abandoned me!" More stillness followed, as Aida held tighter and swung desperately back and forth, hoping to make contact with the side of the mountain. Other climbers found her the next day, hanging strongly to a rope...ONLY TWO FEET OFF THE GROUND. Unseen by her, the ledge would have been a safe spot where she could have dropped, recovered, built a small fire for warmth, and camped for the night.

Secondly, the Transfiguration was to teach that those who have trusted the promises of Christ are going to be given a new body.  There is a story told of a certain woman named Beth who was always bright, cheerful and optimistic, even though she was confined to her old shack on mountainside because of sickness. Patrick, a friend visiting her one day brought along a woman – Mitch, a person of great wealth. Since there was no easy way up the mountainside, the visitors began the long climb upward. When they reached the first camp and Mitch commented, “What a disgustingly ugly and filthy trail!” Her friend replied, “It's better higher up.” When they reached the second camp, the remark was made, “Things look even worse here.” Again the reply, “It's better higher up.” The two visitors finally reached the old shack on mountainside, where they found the bedridden Beth. A smile on her face radiated the joy that filled her heart. Although the shack was clean and flowers were set on the window sill, Mitch, the wealthy visitor could not get over the plain surroundings in which Beth lived. She blurted out, “It must be very difficult for you to be here like this!” Without a moment's hesitation, the saint of God, pointing towards heaven, responded, “IT'S BETTER HIGHER UP.”

Our First Reading features Abraham as model of obedience and trust in God. Abraham believed God’s promise. He moved away from his comfort zone in order to pursue his journey of faith. Would you be willing to abandon something you cherish if God called you to do so? Our Lord promised us that we will come to share in His glory and He will change our lowly body to be like His glorious body. As Jesus rose with his own body but did not return to this earthly life, so we will be raised again with our own bodies which will be transfigured into glorified bodies. If we believe His promise and obey His teachings, we will receive the fullness of life to come. Indeed, it’s going to be better higher up. 

The disciples experienced such delight on Mount Tabor that they wanted to stay there. The Holy Mass is our mountain-top experience. In the joy and consolation of encountering Jesus in Word and Bread, we say with Peter, “Oh Master, how good it is for us to be here!” And we do not want to leave. But it is not to be. Soon we will hear the words, “The Mass has been offered. Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.” On this Sunday, let us be counted among those who listen to Christ’s Word and are transfigured by it.  Let us climb down Mt. Tabor together, pick up our crosses and leave to face our daily trials. Having been to the top of the mountain, we can trust that if we walk in obedience to Jesus, He will fulfill His promise to walk us toward the resurrection. 

<enrique,ofs