Mountain Climbing

As a child living in valley Northern California we were surrounded by mountains on the west, east and north. One year my father took my brother and myself to climb Mt. Lassen which was at 10, 641 feet of elevation. The trek from the parking area to the peak took around three hours. Some of the trail was treacherous with a narrow path and loose rocks. Nevertheless as young boys it did not seem to bother us.  The view was magnificent when we  neared the top of the summit as we could see the Sacramento Valley below it is vastness, along with Mt. Shasta to the north and the Sierra Nevada range to the south.  Glorious one might say. The struggle was worth it and the sight one that a person would want to capture and hold forever.  So it was with Peter, James, and John.  Wanting to build a booth and capture the moment with Jesus on the mountain. But as with a picture capturing the moment high on the mountain, one which any climber can identify with, life itself is not just on top of the mountain.

It is much deeper,  it is about our own humanity and the transfiguration that takes place when one unconditionally surrenders to the will of God. Today's Gospel passage prompts us to reflect on prayer, dazzling beauty, law and tradition, sleep, clouds, a voice, and finally silence.  We can only come to Jesus when we pray and even though our prayer may be fractured and distracted just like the world below the mountains, we are connected in some way.

In our humanity we may not see the beauty of the Lord as Peter, James and John, but I am sure the Lord grace radiates in many us. Connected with Moses and Elijah through our traditions we faithfully carry out our life in a Christian manner. Overcome by the burdens of our daily existence we become weary and tired.  Clouds of despair can cause us to waiver as we climb the mountain of life, but as we ascend these clouds are transfigured, radiating brightly to reveal the voice echoing "follow my Son, listen to my Son, for you also are my chosen ones." We are at the proverbial peak on the mountaintop.  Silence usually follows a life changing moment as one is caught in the moment, unsure what to say, what action to take. Thus on the top of the mountain we come back to the silence of prayer and reflection on the glory and grace of God, the sending of his Son to redeem us and the gratitude for being chosen.