Growing in our relationship and knowledge of God is a process that takes a lifetime. It is like climbing up a steep and high mountain. It requires refining our senses by overcoming the noise and busyness of life, so we can discover Him in silence. The face of God, whom we seek, is our consolation. However, He also calls us to come down from the mountain to serve our brothers and sisters. In other words, to live our faith with deeds on earth. This calling of ours is reflected in the Gospel on the Transfiguration.
Ascending the Mountain: Our call to Pray
“And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain apart.”
The ascent up Mount Tabor is God’s invitation to intimacy with us through prayer. To ascend the mountain, we need to create a space of silence in our heart and environment so that we too can experience Jesus transfigured. St John of the Cross said, ‘Silence is God’s first language.’ We need to overcome distractions, such as the news, emails, and other notifications. Although the climb can be arduous, it is worthwhile to see the face of God.
Listening to see the Face of God
“This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.”
It is not silence that we seek but God Himself. A deep and intimate relationship with Christ requires us to listen. St. Josemaria, on his reflection on the Transfiguration says, ‘Lord, we are ready to heed whatever you want to tell us. Speak to us: we are attentive to your voice. May your words enkindle our will so that we launch out fervently to obey you.’
Descending the Mountain: Spreading the Love we Received
“And as they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, “Tell no one the vision, until the Son of man is raised from the dead.”
We know that Jesus took the time out to speak with God the Father in silence but He knew He had a vocation to serve and heal the people around him. In Benedict XVI’s final Angelus address, he said, ‘Prayer does not mean isolating oneself from the world and its problems … The Christian life consists in continuously scaling the mountain to meet God and then coming back down, bearing the love and strength drawn from him, to serve our brothers and sisters with God’s own love.’ When we discover the love of God in our prayer, He gives us the desire and the grace to give that to others too. Passing on Christ is manifested in loving service to our family, friends, and colleagues.
“Prayer does not mean isolating oneself from the world and its problems … The Christian life consists in continuously scaling the mountain to meet God and then coming back down, bearing the love and strength drawn from him, to serve our brothers and sisters with God’s own love.“
