Sunday, February 28, 2010

Homily for 2nd Sunday of Lent, the Transfiguration

The hills are alive with the sound of music. The 1965 movie, the Sound of Music, gave us this beautiful song along with some breathtaking views of the Austrian Alps. The majesty of the mountains was what I remember most about the film although others may say the movie plot itself or the remarkable soundtrack that included Climb Every Mountain, Do Re Mi and These are a Few of My Favorite Things.

The sound of the music of the hills was what Maria referred to as her place of reflection and quiet solitude. The beauty and the majesty of the mountains and the noise of the wind all “sang” to her.

We may have been fortunate in our lives to have a mountaintop experience. Perhaps you have vacationed with your family in the Smoky Mountains or the Rockies. If not, then hopefully we can at least remember our last trip to Monkey Hill in Audubon Park. I’m sure at least mentally, we all have climbed our mountain and experienced our own mountaintop moment.

As people of faith, have we climbed that mountain with the Lord?

Today’s Gospel brings us to a mountain. It is the mountain of the Transfiguration! Jesus climbs Mt. Tabor and brings along Peter, James and John. And they truly have a mountaintop experience. Scripture tells us that Jesus was transfigured before them and he was conversing with Moses and Elijah. And it is not just any conversation. We hear the word exodus today; they are speaking to Jesus about his coming passion and death. When Peter says: “it is good that we are here”, he had no idea.

Jesus knows what will happen here on Mt. Tabor, just as he knows what will happen on the mount known as Calvary. Jesus brings his friends along to have this mountaintop experience of deep prayer, a brief look at the glory of His divinity and to bolster them in faith for what was about to come.

And his friends in a most remarkable way are allowed to come into the presence of the Trinity. In one brief moment that seemed at first frightening, Peter, James and John encounter God the Father as the voice is heard: “this is my chosen Son; listen to him”. And they are with God the Son and they enter into the cloud; God the Holy Spirit.

For Peter, James and John to experience this mountaintop transfiguration they had to walk with Jesus; they had to climb the mountain. It may have been difficult and it may have included some suffering; some pain. But the glory was beyond human description.

For us, we must walk with Jesus and climb the mountain with him. The way up the mountain and the way of the cross, for us, brings us here, not necessarily the mountaintop, but surely the “source and summit” of our Christian faith: the Eucharist. We are drawn to this altar and drawn to our transfigured Lord in Holy Communion. And yes, the walk with Jesus and the climb may be fraught with pain, but the mountaintop experience is beyond human experience.

As we partake of the consecrated Body & Blood of our Lord, we too are transfigured. And we are called to go out and help others climb the mountain. We are called to bring others to Christ so they too can have that mountaintop experience.

In the week ahead, we can reread this beautiful Gospel passage and prepare to take action. In these weeks ahead, in our very own parish, we have 4 candidates on their own climb preparing for entry in the Catholic Church. Pray for them this week. And if called, contact our RCIA director and volunteer to assist with the various events yet to come, leading to the Easter vigil.

Friday night we will pray the Stations of the Cross in a most special way. Being the only “first Friday” of a month in Lent, as you arrive our Eucharistic Lord will be on the altar. In the spirit of climbing that mountain, of making the way of the cross, come for Benediction Friday night and remain to pray the Stations of the Cross.

These are but two examples of ways we can be faithful to our own climb with Jesus. And these are two examples of ways we can invite others to have their own mountaintop experience.

Yes, the hills are alive with the sound of music. And the mountaintop is alive with God’s majesty in our transfigured Lord, Jesus Christ.

It is truly good that we are here!

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