Mountain-Top Experience
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March 15, 2025We are now on the second week of our Lenten journey. Last week, we have journeyed with Jesus on his wilderness experience, having faced and eventually defeating the devil in every test. After that wilderness experience, we come to another faith-filled experience we call the mountain-top experience, - the transfiguration of Jesus.
Why with Moses and Elijah? Both played a significant role in the Old Testament, Moses representing the Law and Elijah representing the prophets. Both the Law and the Prophets pointed to the same direction, - the coming of the Messiah, Jesus, - the fulfillment both the Law and the prophecy. Moses and Elijah were speaking with Jesus about his exodus being accomplished in Jerusalem. As Moses led the Israelites out from the slavery in Egypt, Jesus will lead the people of God out from the slavery of sin, - on the cross and resurrection, as they were led to the Promised Land, Jesus will lead God’s people to the promised Kingdom.
On the mountain, Jesus has shown his three disciples the glory of God in him, it was a foretaste of the Kingdom of God. They were terrified and confused yet they must have felt how it is tobe in the glory of God and so Peter, in his human understanding said: “Master, it is good that we are here!” (Luke 9:33) and in the midst of these mixed feelings, they heard the voice saying, “This is my chosen Son; listen to him.” (Luke 9:35) This as if it echoed the prophecy in the Old Testament about the coming of the Messiah whom people should listen to, “The Lord your God will raise up for you prophet like me from among you, from your brothers – It ishim you shall listen.” (Deuteronomy 18:15).
This Second Sunday of Lent, as we are being drawn to the mountain-top experience, we are invited to listen to the voice of the One sent to redeem us, Jesus, the fulfillment of the Law and the prophecy. And as he was transfigured, we are also invited to be transformed and experience the grace of being reconciled with God.But while we are on our earthly pilgrimage, weare given the chance of this mountain-top experience in the celebration of the holy Eucharist where we listen to the Word proclaimed and receive the precious body and blood in Holy Communion, - the glory of God revealed in Jesus. So we utter the same words of St. Peter: “Master, it is good that we are here!” but while we are here, we must do our best to listen to his beloved Son, Jesus the Christ.