The Presence of High Mountain and the Disciples in Jesus' Transfiguration

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : Eighteenth Week:  Thursday*

*Gospel :  Mt 17: 1-9*

*First Reading : Daniel 7: 9-10; 13-14*

*Responsorial Psalm : 97: 1-9*

*The Presence of High Mountain and the Disciples in Jesus' Transfiguration*

*1) Why a Mountain?*

In the Bible, the mountain is often a place of encounter with God.

Moses encountered God on Mount Sinai. Elijah encountered God on Mount Horeb. Jesus frequently went to the mountain to pray.

So, when Jesus takes Peter, James and John up a high mountain, He is taking them away from the ordinary environment and bringing them into a deeper experience of God.

The mountain represents:

*A) Leaving the ordinary behind* 

To climb a mountain, we must leave the lower ground.

Spiritually, this can mean leaving behind: distractions, unhealthy attachments, fear, selfishness, excessive concern for worldly things.

Sometimes we cannot hear God because our lives are too crowded with noise. “To see Jesus differently, sometimes we must climb above the noise of our ordinary life.”

*B) The mountain is a place of transformation* 

Jesus did not become divine only on the mountain. He was always divine. But on the mountain, His glory was revealed.

This teaches us something important: God may already be working in our life, but we may not yet have the eyes to recognize it.

Prayer does not necessarily change God. Prayer changes our ability to see God.

*C) Going up requires effort* 

Mountain climbing is not easy. 

Likewise, spiritual growth requires: prayer, sacrifice, patience, discipline, forgiveness, perseverance.

We cannot expect deep faith without making the effort to climb. “The higher we climb in faith, the clearer our vision of God becomes.”

*2) Why Did Jesus Take the Disciples?*

Jesus could have gone to the mountain alone. But He deliberately took Peter, James and John.

This is significant. They were not merely spectators. They were being prepared for what was coming.

Soon Jesus would enter His Passion and Cross.

The disciples needed to understand: The Cross is not the end of the story. Glory lies beyond the Cross. The Transfiguration strengthens them before the difficult days ahead.

This has a powerful meaning for us: God sometimes gives us mountaintop experiences before difficult valleys. A moment of grace today may become the strength we need tomorrow.

*3)  The Disciples Experience Both Glory and Weakness*

Look at the disciples carefully.

They see: Jesus transfigured, Moses, Elijah, the bright cloud, the voice of the Father.

But they also become frightened and confused.

Peter even says: “Lord, it is good for us to be here.” He wants to remain on the mountain. This is very human. 

When we experience peace, joy or spiritual consolation, we want to stay there. But Jesus does not allow them to remain permanently on the mountain. They must come down.

*4) From Mountain to Valley*

This may be the most important lesson. Christian life is not only about going up the mountain. It is also about coming down from the mountain.

The mountain is the place of: Prayer → Encounter → Transformation

The valley is the place of: Service → Suffering → Mission → Witness

We go up to encounter Christ. We come down to serve people.

Therefore: Mountain without mission = spiritual escape.

Mission without mountain = spiritual exhaustion.

We need both.

*5) The Disciples Represent Us*

Peter, James and John can represent every Christian.

We too have our mountaintop moments: a powerful prayer, a retreat, a beautiful Mass, Eucharistic adoration, a spiritual experience, a moment of deep forgiveness, an experience of God's presence.

But then we return to ordinary life.

The question is: What do we do with the light we received on the mountain?

If prayer does not change our relationships, our attitudes and our service, then we have not fully understood the mountain experience.

*6) The Mountain and the Valley Are Both Necessary*

A beautiful way to understand the Transfiguration is:

Mountain gives us vision. Valley gives us mission.

Mountain gives us strength. Valley tests that strength.

Mountain gives us consolation. Valley demands commitment.

Mountain helps us see Christ. Valley asks us to follow Christ.

*7) A Special Reflection: We Cannot Build Our Tent on the Mountain*

Peter says: “Let us make three tents.” Peter wants to preserve the experience.

But Jesus' mission cannot be reduced to a beautiful spiritual experience.

There are people waiting below.

There are suffering people.

There are wounded people.

There are those who need healing.

Therefore, the real test of the mountain experience is what happens after we come down.

Ask ourselves:

After my prayer, am I more patient?

After Mass, am I more loving?

After receiving the Eucharist, am I more willing to serve?

After experiencing God's forgiveness, am I willing to forgive others?

After encountering Christ, can people encounter Christ through me?

*8) Relevance to Our Life* 

*A) We need mountains of prayer.* : In a noisy world, we need moments where we withdraw from everything and listen to God.

*B) We need to climb above our problems.* : Sometimes we are so close to our problems that we cannot see God's bigger plan. The mountain gives us a higher perspective.

*C) We should not be afraid of the valley.* : The disciples eventually had to come down. Our difficult moments—family problems, failures, disappointments and responsibilities—are not signs that God has abandoned us. The God of the mountain is also the God of the valley.

*D) Spiritual experiences must become service* : We don't climb the mountain simply to feel good. We climb so that we can return with greater strength to serve others.

*E) Remember the mountain when you are in the valley* : This is perhaps the greatest lesson. When difficulties come, remember the moments when God was faithful. Yesterday's grace can become today's strength.

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*