If you have ever climbed a mountain or even a high hill, you know that when you get to the top you are tired and achy but usually the sense of accomplishment and the spectacular view are exhilarating. As a young priest, working with CYO groups, I climbed mountains every single year. It wasn’t’ my favorite thing to do, but the mountaintop experience did make the trek worthwhile. Coming down of course was another thing.
So I think I can identify with the apostles in today’s Gospel reading. Jesus takes Peter, James and John and went up the mountain to pray. The first thing St. Luke tells us about the apostles is that when they reached the top, they were overcome with sleep. Makes sense to me. Then they were rudely awakened by the commotion that was taking place; Moses and Elijah appear with Jesus and they are now exhilarated by the spectacle they see. Peter wants to set up tents to hold onto it forever; but we hear nothing of James and John and wonder what they were thinking.
Then we hear that they became frightened then the cloud comes upon them and the voice of God says: this is my chosen one; listen to Him.
It is a very powerful and dramatic encounter for the apostles. I am sure they were not only in awe but also dumbfounded and perhaps even confused. They saw Jesus in a whole new light but what did it all mean.
We all have experiences in life where we can pretty clearly recognize that God’s hand is at work. Sometimes very subtlety and sometimes more overtly. In the midst of turmoil we find peace; in the midst of pain we find relief; in the midst of confusion we find direction.
When we see the hand of God in our lives it leaves us with multiple feelings as the apostles had on that mountaintop. We may not always understand but in our faith we are certain and grateful.
During these Lenten Days may we remember the hand of God in our lives and continue to seek His guidance.