2nd Sunday in Lent - Cycle C
Going Up The Mountain
Nine-year-old Joey, was asked by his mother what he learned in CCD this week. "Well, Mom, our CCD teacher told us how God sent Moses behind enemy lines on a rescue mission to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. When he got to the Red Sea, he had his army build a pontoon bridge and all of the people walked across safely. Then he radioed headquarters for reinforcements. Then they sent bombers to blow up the bridge and all the Israelites were saved."
Now Joey, is that really what your CCD teacher taught you?" his mother asked.
"Well, no Mom. But if I told it the way the CCD teacher did, you'd never believe it!"
There is no doubt that the events that Moses and the Israelites experienced during the Exodus from Egypt were unbelievable. Yet it happened and through their wondering in the desert, amazing events happened from the parting of the Red Seas, to manna from heaven and Moses' encounter with God on Mt. Sinai. Events that are echoed in today's Gospel reading because the roots of the transfiguration story are deeply embedded in Jewish tradition. The transfiguration shows that Jesus is the continuation of God's saving action under the old law given to Moses.
In the Gospel reading, Jesus chose three disciples, Peter, James and John to climb with Him up Mount Tabor. Now Mount Tabor is a unique mountain, it is dome shaped and has been described as a mountain rising up to heaven like an altar in the greatest sanctuary in the world. It is no easy climb, actually it is quite difficult especially in heat of day. When the group reached the summit, Jesus went into deep prayer and the exhausted disciples dozed off. Suddenly the disciples were witnesses to what seemed to be an unbelievable sight. On the crest of Mount Tabor the disciples did not see a panoramic view of the Galilean countryside, they were witnesses of a much more glorious sight, a vision of heaven, the vision of a world beyond our sight.
There is no doubt that Peter was awe-struck when he said "Master its wonderful for us to be here". Just as the words were coming from Peter's mouth a cloud overshadowed them, the same biblical symbol of God's presence that Moses encountered. And then the Transfiguration. Like the Exodus story of Moses' meeting with God on Mount Sinai with Moses' face becoming luminous and radiating in the presence of the Lord. On Mount Tabor, not only did Jesus' face dramatically change, shined like the sun and His clothes become a dazzling white.
If this was not remarkable enough, Moses and Elijah appeared, representing the Jewish law and the prophets, and talked with Jesus as their equal. With Jesus being with these great figures, the disciples could clearly see that Jesus path was given by God, the same God that led Moses and Elijah in their ministries of salvation and persecutions. Jesus' mystical transformation in the company of Moses and Elijah revealed Jesus' divinity to His disciples
Jesus talked with Moses and Elijah about his exodus, a reference looking backward to the Israelite Exodus from Egypt and forward to Jesus' own Passion and Resurrection. They talked about what Jesus would experience and suggest that He stay true to the law and the prophets.
This must have been such an incredible sight for the disciples, an event that was almost impossible to comprehend. What could simple disciples do in the presence of such great religious figures? The only thing that Peter could think to do was to pitch tents for Jesus, Moses and Elijah. Peter's suggestion seems a bit strange but he was actually acting out what is said in Psalm 43. Psalm 43 says send your light - that is Jesus luminous face and clothing - and your truth: they will lead me; they will bring me to your holy mountain - that is Mount Tabor - and to your tents. All that Peter saw that was missing from this glorious event was tents. Peter just wanted Psalm 43 to come alive so they could stay in this safe place of revelation.
As Peter was speaking, a luminous cloud appeared over the disciples and out of the cloud comes a voice. A voice reminiscent of Moses' encounter with God, when God spoke to Moses in a dense cloud. The voice from the cloud that spoke to the disciples said something very simple yet incredibly profound, "Listen to Him". Then the cloud disappeared and Jesus was alone with the disciples. God's words proclaimed that Jesus' authority exceeded Moses and Elijah. Symbolically demonstrating that the law and prophets converged into one figure in Jesus. From then on, the disciples were to listen to Jesus as the voice of God's authority. Simply, the transfiguration of Jesus in the presence of Peter, James and John was God's divine stamp of approval.
The disciples response to these events isn't exactly what we might expect. It seems that even with seeing Moses and Elijah and then hearing God's voice, the disciples still did not understand Jesus' true identity as the Son of Man. On their return trip back down Mount Tabor, the disciples did not talk about what they had seen or heard. The events were beyond their understanding. It was only when the disciples witnessed Jesus' sufferings would they realize with stark reality of the words that they had heard on the mountain.
Not everyone has the opportunity to go up the mountain but we all seek the same understanding that the disciples sought. As Paul said, our real homeland is in heaven, that is where we truly belong for we are a pilgrim people, that's where we shall finally be transfigured into the likeness of our risen Lord. As a pilgrim people especially during this Lenten season, it should be our quest to stay on the right path or if we find ourselves off the path, make the necessary adjustments while there is still time.
By being loved by God we are a changed people and it is our faith that transforms our lives. The mission that God gives us is to take His love into the world for all to see. Letting the light of Christ shine on us and shine through us so that all can be transfigured.
