Meditate on God’s Word

1st Reading:            Genesis 15:5-12, 17-18
2nd Reading:           Philippians 3:17—4:1
Gospel:                    Luke 9.28b-36 – The Transfiguration

Ascending and Descending the Mountain

Every Second Sunday of Lent the Church invites us to reflect on the account of the Transfiguration of Christ. This passage describes how Jesus went up a mountain with Peter, James and John, and was transfigured before them, revealing His divine glory. The apostles, although wanting to stay upon the mountain, are brought back down into the real world. These two movements, of ascent and descent, are critical in the lives of stewards.

Firstly, we too are invited to ascend the heights of mountain-top spiritual experiences. To ascend the mountain is to take some time away from the noise of the world to experience the glory and majesty of Christ. Sometimes this involves large mountains such as attending retreats or conferences. However, we can also ascend the mountain every time we turn to prayer and build up our relationship with God. All these moments are essential in keeping our faith alive and active.

However, this is where the second aspect of descent becomes so important. Unless we are called to live as a brother or sister in a contemplative religious order, we are not called to always remain tucked away in retreats or prayer. Instead, we are called to be strengthened through our mountain-top experiences so that we will have the grace to go out into the world and spread the Gospel. This Lent, let us take some time to be nourished on the mountain so that we will be all the more ready to proclaim the Good News.

Summary

Just as the apostles were invited to ascend the mountain for the Lord’s transfiguration, we too are called to ascend our own mountains. We can do this whenever we take some time away from the noise of the world so that we may experience the glory and majesty of Christ in prayer. We are then called to descend the mountain and use the grace of our mountain-top experiences to spread the Gospel in the world.

https://www.archtoronto.org/stewardship