In today’s gospel, we hear how Jesus takes Peter, James and his brother John up a high mountain so they could be alone and perhaps have time to pray after a busy day. As soon as they reach the summit he is ‘transfigured’ before them with his face shining like the sun and his clothes as white as the light.  Moses and Elijah appear and are seen talking to Jesus. Later, a voice from the cloud declares ‘This is my son, the beloved; he enjoys my favour, listen to him.’ The disciples are frightened by what they see and hear but Jesus seeks to reassure them and tells them to stand up and not be afraid.

When they came down the mountain Jesus told them to tell no one about their experience until the ‘Son of Man has risen from the dead’. They could not understand at that time that Jesus was foretelling what was to happen to him in time to come.

Their experience on the mountain was perhaps meant to strengthen and encourage them to remain faithful. We all experience different crisis in life. Our lives can often be transformed by these experiences and changed forever. Maybe that’s what Jesus had in mind when he brought the disciples up the mountain. That they might be changed and prepared for what was ahead in his passion and death.

We pray that this Holy season of Lent may transform our hearts and lives in preparation for the forthcoming Easter day and beyond.

Fr Gerry