As we come down from the Holy Mountain, what is our talk?

Gospel Thoughts

*Advent Season : C Cycle  2nd Week - Saturday*

*GOSPEL -  Mt 17:9a, 10-13*

*First Reading - Sir 48:1-4, 9-11*

*As we come down from the Holy Mountain, what is our talk?*

*1) Mountain in the Bible*

In the Bible mountain has a special significance

Many times God appears to His people on the Mountain

For example, God appeared to Mosses on the Mount Sinai and gave 10 commandments

God also asked Abraham to sacrifice his son on Mount Moriah 

Prophet Elijah and Mount Carmel has many things to offer. 

Jesus was transfigured on Mount Tabor 

Jesus preached from the Mountain. Sermon on the Mount 

Jesus carried His cross to the Mount Calvary and died there 

Finally Jesus was taken up to Heaven from the mountain. 

So mountain has a special significance in the Bible.

*2) Jesus and His disciples on the Mountain*

Usually Jesus went to the mountain either to pray or to teach to His disciples 

So in today Gospel we have the episode of Jesus coming down from the Mountain. 

So it is natural to conclude that Jesus and His disciples were busy either in praying or teaching to His disciples

*3) As they were coimg doem they were discussing about Heavenly things*

The Gospel shows us in clear terms that they were discussing with Jesus about the heavenly things 

They were trying to clarify the matter about the coming of Elijah. 

In fact the coimg of Elijah was very important event from the perspective of coming of the Messiah. 

So they were not discussing about the ordinary or silly matter but very important matter about coming of Messiah. 

*4) Mountain experience in our day today life*

The same mountain experience we go through in our day today life in various occasions 

First of all the Altar in our House is a beautiful mountain where God dwells and appears to us

Secondly the Holy Scripture is another mountain to experience God 

Thirdly the Holy Place in our Church, the Tabernacle is a beautiful and a powerful mountain to experience God

In our Ward when we gather together for prayer it becomes a beautiful mountain to experience God 

*5) The things we need to talk as disciples of Jesus*

As Jesus and His disciples came down they spoke about  the heavenly things 

After returning from these above mentioned mountains of our daily life we need to reflect, meditate and discuss about the Heavenly things and not about wordly things 

*6) The reality of our Talk*

Even though we know that we are supposed to talk and reflect about the heavenly things after returning from the Holy Mountain of the Lord, what are we really discussing about in our day today life 

Some times the Following things take upper hand in our discussion after we return from the Mountain

At the unwanted gossip

Lose talk and criticism of others 

Finding fault with others 

Instead of supporting the good work making a plan to  stop  the work because it is done by opposite group

Trying to speak about our own achievements and taking pride in it

 *7) What are the topics of my discussion?*

In my day today life after returning from the Mountain what am I discussing about? 

What am I teaching my children to discuss about? 

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*