Ascend with Prayer, Descend to Proclaim

Jesus took Peter, James, and John
and led them up a high mountain apart by themselves.
And he was transfigured before them,
and his clothes became dazzling white,
such as no fuller on earth could bleach them.
Then Elijah appeared to them along with Moses,
and they were conversing with Jesus.
Then Peter said to Jesus in reply,
“Rabbi, it is good that we are here!
Let us make three tents:
one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
He hardly knew what to say, they were so terrified.
Then a cloud came, casting a shadow over them;
from the cloud came a voice,
“This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.”

Mark 9: 2-7

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From the event of the Transfiguration I would like to take two significant elements that can be summed up in two words: ascent and descent. We all need to go apart, to ascend the mountain in a space of silence, to find ourselves and better perceive the voice of the Lord. This we do in prayer. But we cannot stay there! Encounter with God in prayer inspires us anew to “descend the mountain” and return to the plain where we meet many brothers weighed down by fatigue, sickness, injustice, ignorance, poverty both material and spiritual. To these brothers in difficulty, we are called to bear the fruit of that experience with God, by sharing the grace we have received….  The Word of Christ grows in us when we proclaim it, when we give it to others! And this is what Christian life is. It is a mission for the whole Church, for all the baptized, for us all: listen to Jesus and offer him to others.

And now let us turn to our Mother Mary, and entrust ourselves to her guidance in pursuing with faith and generosity this path of Lent, learning a little more how to “ascend” with prayer and listen to Jesus and to “descend” with brotherly love, proclaiming Jesus.

Pope Francis

Angelus, 16 March 2014

For the complete text please visit:

https://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/angelus/2014/documents/papa-francesco_angelus_20140316.html

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One of my favorite places in the Holy Land is the Mount of Transfiguration, Mount Tabor.  Although, if the truth be told, the Holy Land has even more of “My Favorite Things” than are listed in the song from “The Sound of Music”!  Whether sunny or stormy weather, it is good to be on that mountain top.  It is a gift to be led apart by Jesus and to experience the transforming power of His great love at work in our life and then to share that love with others as we return to our everyday existence on the plain.

Will you pause for a few moments and join me on an imaginary journey to the mountain top with Jesus?  Can you feel the sunshine warm on your face and the blue, cloudless sky so close overhead that you can almost reach out and touch it?  

Look:  Jesus is gloriously transfigured, his simple garments have become dazzling white.  He is brighter than the sun.  He is looking at you.  He wants you to be transformed also by His love and inspired by His words and actions.

Listen:  The voice of our heavenly Father is telling us to listen to His beloved Son Jesus… to do His will.

Jesus is calling you by name.  What is He saying to you?  What is your response to Him?

Each day make time to come apart with Jesus.  Climb that mountain.  Think of one of your favorite scripture passages where the Word of the Lord speaks to you.  Meditate on the Word.  Pray with the Word.  Ask Jesus to transform your life.  Share the gift of Love you have received.

God bless you! 

  

PS:  You can sing along with me if you now have “The Sound of Music” soundtrack going through your mind!

Aerial view of the Mount of Transfiguration

  

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