Sunday next before Lent 15 02 26
FIRST READING: Exodus 24.12-end
Second Reading: 2 Peter 1.16-end
GOSPEL Matthew 17.1-9
Jesus had the practice of spending time alone with God in prayer. Sometimes he would do that by himself and sometimes he took his friends along with him. We see a new understanding of prayer in Jesus. He was surrounded by people all the time and therefore he went away to a deserted place to pray.
For the disciples, Peter, James and John it was an unique experience as they have gone up the mountain to spent time in prayer, they see a glorious sight, of Jesus transfigured and appearing different. They have seen him as an ordinary carpenter, they have seen him by the sea, in the market places in the temple, in the midst of people, and they have always seen him as an ordinary person. But here in the mount of transfiguration, as Jesus was praying his appearance changed, appearing as a dazzling light and his face was so bright as the sun that the disciples were not able to see his face.
Peter, James and John saw another amazing thing, Jesus was in conversation with two great leaders of the past, Moses and Elijah. They were talking with Jesus about the work he is going to accomplish which is to suffer and die on the cross at Calvary. It was a glorious experience which was affirming and preparing Jesus for his goal.
This glorious experience of Jesus is a matter of great wonder for Peter and others. Peter would go to the extent of saying, let’s be here. Why bother to go to the world. It is so good to be here. Jesus steps down from the mount of transfiguration to only continue his messianic work with greater conviction that is going to take him to Calvary where he is going to be disfigured. He leads the disciples from the joy of the glorious transfiguration to the glory of love and service where Jesus gave his life that the world may live.
A mountain top experience is always wonderful. It gives us an opportunity to understand ourselves and to refocus our attention if that is needed or be affirmed of what one is doing.
Jesus periodically did this – to go away and then to come back. He chose a difficult path to fulfil a difficult agenda and that is why he had to find time for himself and time to be with God in prayer. Worship and prayer could be mountain top experiences we can have with God. These moments of wonder strengthen us to face the difficult and sometimes harsh realities of life.