Working for the Word

Focusing the Gospel

Key words and phrases: high mountain, shone like the sun, white as light, well pleased, listen to him, Jesus ... touched, raised from the dead

To the point: What high mountain must we climb for us to witness Jesus’ transfiguration? We must climb the high mountain of listening to Jesus, the high mountain of being pleasing to him, the high mountain of opening ourselves to the touch of his Presence. When we climb this mountain, we forsake our own agenda of pitching the tent of satisfaction with our own works to enter into the glory of the Life Jesus offers us. The mountain is steep; the climb is ours to choose; the vision at the top is divine—“white as light,” shining “like the sun.” Can we see him?

Connecting the Gospel … 

… to the Second Reading: God commanded Abram to leave the homeland he knew and to seek an unknown homeland that God would show him. “Abram went as the Lord directed him,” and for this he was greatly blessed. Jesus’ transfiguration bids us to let go of where we are (the “homeland” we know) to climb a high mountain (an unknown “homeland”) that leads to new, risen, transfigured, Easter Life.

… to experience: No matter how insightful or imaginative, all human vision is limited by the boundaries of human experience. The vision of Jesus’ transfiguration explodes the boundaries of human experience yet is very real and attainable. Jesus shows us the glory that is ours to come, a glory attainable because it is God’s gift to those who are faithful.

**From Saint Louis University