‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.’ Mt. 17:5
To put this morning’s Gospel passage into context we need to remember its timing. The passage begins, “six day’s later”. What had happened six days previous? Matthew records that Jesus had in fact begun speaking about his death and had made it clear that many of them would not experience death themselves until this had occurred. Six days on from this, what can only be called shocking news, we come to one of the most famous New Testament Journeys – the one up the perilous Mount of the Transfiguration.
Our first reading centres on the first of three famous bible journeys – that of Abram from Mesopotamia to Canaan where in fulfilment of God’s promise he becomes Abraham, the father of the world’s three monotheistic religions. What a promise!
It’s all very well acknowledging the radical notion of God’s call – to leave country and everything that that country means and to see this legacy that has become bequeathed to him but what of Abram’s faith? His journey is a sign of the depth of Abram’s relationship with God – without such depth of faith it is hard for us to imagine such a journey beginning, let alone concluding! Beyond doubt, with hindsight we can reflect on, the now, Abraham’s journey as the first pilgrimage. They were not only travelling to a new land – there own was blessed enough; no, they were travelling with God’s promise into God’s promise!
It was just such a journey or pilgrimage that the Apostles has begun when they had left their families and homes to follow Jesus. But even more drastic for these latter pilgrims was that they also left behind that which was spiritually secure – no longer for them the simple acceptance of what was handed down by their ancestors, nor was it automatic adherence to the prevailing religious culture. But let’s not forget Jesus’ promise – he would change nothing but fulfil all. As Abraham had journeyed to the promised Land so the Apostles would witness the fulfilment of that promise. The Land where all lived by the rule of love with mutual respect and care – the land where what he had been revealing through miracles, teaching and his very incarnation; the Land that is - the Kingdom of God!
It is to such courageous travelling for the Spread of the Gospel to which Paul refers in his second letter to Timothy. Paul is anxious to overcome the romantic notions of God’s call. Encouragement in bearing hardship is one of Paul’s constant themes. Such encouragement is Jesus’ intention when after announcing his impending passion he takes Peter, James and John up the Mountain – the heavenly vision being strengthened by the acclamation of the Father: -
‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.’
Yes, before his ultimate Sacrifice The disciples need to understand that they were called to be faithful to him, that they will continue to travel and that their journey would never be smooth, and that their love for him will constantly be challenged yet will continue to grow!
Whether it be to the Holy Land, to Oberammergau or to Walsingham, Christian Pilgrimages are all about such change – few people make a pilgrimage without finding themselves changed – if this were not the case do you really think that the whole notion of such journeys would still be popular?
Lent is the time when the whole Church makes a pilgrimage – a pilgrimage of faith – a pilgrimage to return to baptismal purity and confirmation enthusiasm. The Fasting of Lent is there to make us uncomfortable – because it is a simple fact that if we do not find our faith challenging, it is dead. If it does not make us question how we think and how we live, it is useless. If it is about “going to Church” because that’s what we do, it is not really “faith”!
Today’s readings all comfort us – if we are uncertain or unsure, if we are confused and lost they are a confirmation that we have left the safety of home to journey with the Lord. Abraham’s journey and its reward was well known by those gathered on the Mount of the Transfiguration – they shared in that reward in temporal terms. What they were to come to realise is what we now know – that in Jesus heaven came to earth! At every Mass we have a Transfiguration experience – that experience is extended when we take time to pray before the Blessed Sacrament and at Benediction – The Experience of Christ Risen, ascended and glorified. In these like the Apostles we can feel safe and comfortable and may be even Holy!!
To conclude then, we can learn from the lessons of Abraham, Paul and the Apostles that we are called to journey on – journey on in the world faithful to God’s promise to us – In this way can we be certain that we are en-route for the Promised Land, the promised land where we shall be able to utter Peter’s words:-
‘Lord, it is good that we are here.’
Utter the words and thanks to God, know we are able to stay on!
‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.’ Mt. 17:5