Transfiguration - Relationship, Identity, Mission

(Picture I took from the bus as we ascended up to Nazereth.  Mount Tabor is the Mountain top on the left)

I was blessed to recently be taken up Mount Tabor just outside of Nazereth.  It was here that Christ was transfigured before Peter, James, and John and the voice from heaven said "this is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him" (cf. Matthew 17, Mark 9, Luke 9).  The beautiful part of this trip was that the mountain was covered in rain clouds and as we celebrated Mass at the Church of the Transfiguration on the top of the mountain, lightening continued to strike around us.  You could just feel the power of God in the shaking of the mountain side at each strike.  

(note the poncho andthe low cloud cover at the base of the mountain)

In all the Scripture accounts, Peter wanted to stay and make 3 tents/booths.  Why would he not stay here?  It was here that Christ shone like the sun and Jesus was seen talking to Moses and Elijah (the fulfillment of the Old Testament in the Law and the Prophets).  Jesus, however after this great revelation, takes the 3 men down the mountain and heads to Jerusalem to be crucified.

I couldn't help, but be with Peter on this!  Why couldn't they stay?  Could not these 3 men just remain with Jesus in the glory and splendor of God?  I would want to stay!  But then the truth came to me that is applicable to all: Relationship leads to identity, which leads us to mission.  For example, I have a lot of upcoming weddings this year.  Many of my friends are going to stand before God and the their spouse in the Church, proclaim their vows and then proceed outside the church doors.  Many try to hold onto that great and beautiful day, yet the wedding day is one of the fastest days for the couple.  A new relationship has begun and a new identity in that relationship has taken root.  They came together separated as man and woman, and in the wedding they become one flesh, husband and wife.  With that relationship and identity, the couple now has a mission: to begin their family life together.  The family life in all cases comes with its challenges and crosses in their newly formed marriage.

In a sense, Peter was settling for the wedding night and not the marriage.  He was not settling for beauty that lied beyond the mission and the beyond the cross!  As I look to my upcoming ordination.  I am imagining moments of great joy; the ability to lay down my life for the Diocese of Joliet, but also to stand and preach the word of God to family, friends, and all the People of God.  But at the same time, I'm well aware of the many challenges that I will be faced with, to the point I can only trust in God's grace to help me in the ordained state.  For I know I am way to weak to take on those crosses by my own strength.  But at the same time, I am realizing, like my friends who are entering marriage, I too am entering into a new identity, a new relationship, and hence a new mission!  Please pray for me as I move closer to ordination and a new mission!)  

(inside the the Church of the Transfiguration where we had Mass)