Jesus took with him Peter and John and James and went up the mountain to pray. As he prayed, the aspect of his face was changed and his clothing became brilliant as lightning.
Much of the spiritual life involves the following of a fairly ordinary path of joys and challenges, moments of insight and times of darkness. For some there will be a mountain-top experiences. For others there will be the stories of the mountain-top experiences of others.
In this week’s Gospel of the Transfiguration, Peter, James and John have a mountain-top experience. Some commentators suggest that the disciples’ experience of glory is a strengthening for Christ’s impending Passion. Other commentators think that this experience on Tabor might be a resurrection appearance which Luke has mistakenly inserted here. Either way the text presents us with mystery.
Jesuit, Jack Mahoney has speculated as to whether the Transfiguration may have taken place at night. Seeing the aspect of Jesus’ face change and his clothes becoming ‘brilliant’ would be all the more striking by night. The sleepiness of the disciples could easily be explained if this all happened at night.
I am always drawn to the fact that Jesus took with him those whom tradition considers his closest disciples. Though they didn’t and couldn’t understand what was happening, this mysterious experience would change them and bind them together. Lent offers us this experience too. It’s love which will transfigure us.
How are you called to be transfigured this Lent?