Avid hikers understand climbing mountains requires preparation. Backpacks must be adequately packed with sufficient food and drink along with the necessary equipment for changing conditions, yet must remain lightweight for the journey. Hikers trekking these terrains understand travelling away from their urban environments is necessary to reach their goal or destination.
This weekend’s Gospel narrates the ascent of Jesus bringing his disciples Peter, James and John towards Mount Tabor, which according to tradition is known as the place of the Transfiguration. The slow ascent is similar to many seeking to leave the hustle and bustle of city living to attain the heights and tranquillity found at the summit or lookout of the mountain top. All of this is symbolic of detachment in the Christian life. Attaining the heights of God and growing in closer relationship with Christ always involves some kind of renunciation. Throughout history, detachment is expressed in various ways from the early days of Christian monks, who literally left behind all their possessions, to the poverty lived by many of the famous saints and holy men and women in the Middle Ages. In our modern age, detachment takes its own expression. It involves renouncing those worldly attitudes, passions and behaviours preventing us from reaching closer to God. During the season of Lent, fasting helps to regulate these behaviours while prayer and almsgiving help us to detach from possessions by sharing our own gifts with others.
The mountain top, summit or lookout is the pinnacle of the hiking experience. Reaching the top, many witness the spectacular views of creation with its plains and valleys. In biblical times, mountains were also remarkable places of revelation. In the Gospel, the disciples themselves witness a glimpse of the glorious views of the creator in the person of Jesus Christ with Moses and Elijah seen on each side. Christ was transfigured but the disciples were transformed because of their change in awareness of Jesus’s identity. Their revelation and experience of Christ leads them to keep their experience at the top, shown by their desire to establish three tents.
The old phrase “what comes up, must also come down” also applies to hiking and the Christian life. Every hiker knows that once the top is reached, at some point the descent must begin. Similarly, Christians experiencing the grace of God should keep, ponder and savour that moment but must not remain in the security of our own religious experiences, isolated from the world. We must always be willing to share these experiences with others, inviting them into the Christian journey.
Today’s readings of the Transfiguration on the Second Sunday of Lent should remind us about the Christian life. Detachment in the form of prayer, fasting and almsgiving creates more space for God during Lent. Similar to the disciples, it should give us a transformation, ready to witness again the glories of God and invite others to be a part of the Christian journey.
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Mary Kotefski says:
Thank you Fr Ian, I thoroughly enjoyed reading your homily.
Best wishes.
Mary Kotefski