Mt 17:1-9
Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him.
Then Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, “This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!”
When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Get up and do not be afraid.” And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone. As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, “Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”
New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.
Revealing God’s Shining Glory
Peter gets a hard time for suggesting some simple hospitality for their heavenly guests. If I were in his shoes, I would have wanted to extend the moment too, and in part because of the crowd-gathering story I could tell later: “So when I was camping on a mountain with Jesus, Moses, and Elijah…”
We all walk around with personal hopes of being recognized, honored, or admired. The dream looks different for each person: to earn the biggest paycheck, to be the most active parishioner, to gain 1M followers, or to have everyone ask, “How do you still look so young?” To want to shine the brightest seems to be an inevitable part of being human. We all want our own transfiguration moment.
The problem is we set ourselves up to be restless and discontent because the spotlight never shines long enough and there is always someone better, faster, smarter, or more beautiful nearby.
Today’s first reading from Genesis (Gen 12:1-4a) helps me get out of this incessant search for admiration. God takes the initiative to bless Abraham and his offspring, not because of his own merit, but so that Israel might be a blessing for other nations. God wants us to flourish, not for our own glory, but so that we might play a part in building up the Kingdom of God.
So, as we move through Lent, let’s ask God for the grace to shift our focus away from ourselves and onto contemplating God’s infinite goodness. That way, whatever spiritual transformation we may experience will ultimately reveal God’s glory shining through into the shadowy places around us.
—Aaron Pierre, SJ, is a Jesuit scholastic of the Midwest Province. He is in his final semester of studying theology at the Jesuit School of Theology of Santa Clara University and is anticipating ordination to the priesthood in June.
Prayer
Lord, you know the deepest desires of my heart and you want me to flourish. Draw my attention away from myself and onto your presence, so that whatever I do today might be for your greater glory. Amen.
—Aaron Pierre, SJ