The Transfiguration of the Lord, Feast

Hear and listen are verbs we use when we refer to our sense of hearing - using our ears. But they have significant differences in meaning. When we hear, it simply means that sounds come into our ears. Hearing is to physically experience the sense of sound. As long as one's ear and brain are capable of processing sound waves, one can hear. It may not be deliberate. We hear so many different things throughout our lives, throughout each day. When we listen, we try to hear. It involves effort and concentration. We pay attention and try to understand every sound. It is to deliberately apply the ability to hear. One who listens is thinking about what is heard, what it means, how to respond, and whether to continue to listen/pay attention.

Today we celebrate the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord. Why do we celebrate this feast? Why did Jesus choose this moment to reveal His glory to His disciples? The Transfiguration comes at a time when Jesus was preparing His disciples for His own death. He was also preparing them for serious discipleship, by being prepared to endure the same trials, obstacles, opposition, persecution and even the cross which Jesus would endure. More importantly, the Transfiguration reminded His disciples, and us too, to listen to Jesus and be transformed by His words. Jesus must be the focus of the disciples’ and our lives, and that we should follow the example of mother Mary when she said: "Do whatever He tells you."

Today, we are challenged by this Feast of the Transfiguration to listen to Jesus. We must listen to Jesus at every moment of our lives. We cannot only listen to Jesus when it suits us, or pick and choose what we want to listen. Rather, we must listen to Him when he challenges us to truly become His disciples, by being humble and willing to take up our crosses and follow him. Are we willing to put aside our ego, prejudices and pride, and really, faithfully and trustingly listen to Jesus?

The Transfiguration of the Lord, Feast

Mountain tops are places where we sometimes experience the beauty of nature, the awesomeness of God's creation, and from these we get a glimpse of God's omnipotence (great or unlimited authority or power). In some situations, we could experience the presence of God and we feel humbled and long to stay in His presence for as long as possible.

In today's Gospel, Peter, James and John experienced the presence of God when they saw Jesus transfigured. They had never experienced their master in this way before. Peter, filled with awe says, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. Let us erect three tents here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” But things did not quite work out that way. They were only being prepared for what is to come. With Jesus they descended the mountain to the valley below and on to the garden of Gethsemane and Calvary. On the mountain, they didn’t want to leave. In the Garden of Gethsemane, they didn’t want to stay. When Jesus was arrested they all fled in fear.

We can all identify with the apostles because in our mountain-top experiences of joy and consolation we also want to stay. We want the experience to go on forever. And then in the moments of trial we want to flee. We forget that our Lord did not promise us a rose garden, but a garden of olives and a crown of thorns. We also forget that we need to face reality and go forth to proclaim the Good News, not just remain up in the mountain.

Today, we have opportunities to experience the mountain top, perhaps on a daily basis. The Mass is our mountain-top experience which prepares us for the trials of our day. In the joy and consolation of Communion we say with Peter, "Lord, it is good for us to be here" and some of us may be reluctant to leave. Soon we hear the words, “The Mass is ended. Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.” It is then time for us to pick up our cross and leave to face the trials of the day. Are we still clinging on to the mountain top?