In this second week of Lent, we are encouraged to reflect on a luminous, mysterious moment in Jesus’ life, as described in Matthew’s Gospel: the Transfiguration.
Jesus invites Peter, James and John to accompany him up the mountain. The disciples do not volunteer, but are summoned to be with Jesus, and they willingly go along. So too,
we are invited by Jesus to go with him up the mountain.
Perhaps we can consider the high mountain as a metaphor for life. Our lives are filled with beautiful, joyous moments, challenges, and suffering. We have no idea what we will find at the top of the mountain or in our lives. We do not know whether it will be an easy climb on a well-trodden path, or if the ascent will be steep, slippery and treacherous, with some ‘bundu-bashing’
required. We also do not know what we will have to do when we get ‘there’. What we do know is that Jesus has invited us and is leading us.
The disciples in this narrative allow Jesus to lead them up the high mountain. The disciples are just being asked to be with Jesus, to accompany him up the mountain. They are not asked to do anything.
Their
relationship and friendship with Jesus means that they trust him and want to be with him, whatever may be needed. In my relationship with Jesus, there may be times when I willingly follow the invitations, and there may be times when I feel I cannot respond to the call and go my own way.
Take some time to sit quietly with Jesus. Just be with Jesus. You do not have to do anything.
Imagine Jesus asking you to climb the mountain with him. What is the mountain in your life today?
How does Jesus ask you? What is your initial reaction or feeling to the request? How do you respond? Chat to Jesus, your friend, about this.
