We all have our mountains to climb, mountains to find peace and moments with God in prayer. In the Old Testament the mountain was always a place of an encounter with God. Abraham offered Isaac at the mountain of Moriah. Moses encountered Yahweh at Mt. Sinai, and in the Gospel this Sunday, at Mt. Tabor.
In the Transfiguration, Jesus went up to the mountain to pray. After ministering to the people by healing, expelling demons and preaching, he stopped all his activities and escaped to a secluded mountain to pray, to commune with His Father. While Jesus was praying, He was Transfigured and His face changed in appearance. Then, oblivious of Peter, James and John, He entered into a deep conversation or total communion with the Father. He poured His heart out to the Father. Knowing the heavy cross (of Jerusalem) lay beyond the horizon, Jesus was terrified, “Father, if it is possible, let this chalice pass me by.”
Jesus knew His ultimate mission. Mount Tabor reminded Him of this mission, as He was listening to the Father, the experience led to the remembrance of the prophets, Elijah (talked with God at Mt. Horeb) and Moses, the Lawgiver at Mt. Sinai. Jesus recalled the pains and sufferings of Elijah and Moses, and how His Father assured them of His support and help. He remembered the assurance of the Father, “I will be with you.” At Mt. Carmel, Elijah shamed the prophets of Baal and introduced Yahweh as the one and only God. And when Israel offended God by worshiping other gods, Moses proved to Israel that Yahweh is also the one and only God; Yahweh is the Law and the Law Giver.
The most important moment at Mt. Tabor or the Mount of Transfiguration, was the Jesus experience of change. There was a change of heart. He was afraid of the impending cross, but now after being assured by the Father was ready to accept the “cup.” There was a change of appearance; He was transfigured in frontof the apostles Peter, James and John. The assurance of the Father was the cause of Jesus’ transfiguration, “This is my beloved Son, listen to Him.” Receiving the assurance from the Father, Jesus was all set to go to Jerusalem, to face His cross, “Your will be done.” And the apostles remembered all these; when Jesus fulfilled the “cup”, the Father commissioned Him.
In the Sunday of Transfiguration, Peter, James and John accompanied Jesus to Mt. Tabor to pray, and became the first eyewitnesses of the Glorious nature of Jesus. This season of Lent let us also accompany Jesus in our prayer, and together experience His Transfigured Glory being revealed also to us.
Be in God,
Fr. Bing