My hometown «DRT» is the last municipality in the Province of Bulacan and so far, the most mountainous. It is located at the foot of the Sierra Madre mountain ranges. Whenever I am home, it gives me a sense of tranquility, comfort, and relaxation.
Wilderness was the geographical feature of last Sunday’s gospel reading. This second Sunday of Lent, mountain is used by St. Mark to explicate another momentous event in Jesus’ life with his disciples. Mountain reminds us that we can encounter God in the here and now. That certainly, his presence could be a defining moment for everyone’s lives. Mountain in the salvation history is where the Israelites entered into covenant with God, received the Law that guided them as a people, Elijah encountered God in a form of cold breeze in the mountain, Abraham whose faith and obedience was tried by God by giving his son Isaac as a burnt offering on the mountain (first reading).These are only some events that took place in the said setting. Not all are comforting. Others are challenging. But there is a reassurance. God is there. God is directing us. He is present in all circumstances of our existence.
Jesus also went into a high mountain with his three disciples: Peter, James, and John. Jesus transfigured before them. They were in awe. Probably shocked of what they have witnessed. But it became an eye-opener for them. To see what truly awaits for Jesus and for themselves after this experience. However, our attitude should not be like of Peter who after the glorious manifestation of Jesus wanted to make tents and settle down. He prefered not to face the enormous difficulties involved in fidelity to the mission. This event is a call for all of us that we should not stop and be too much immersed on our comfort zones. We should go down from our own mountain-tops to continue doing God’s missionary works. Our mission is not only up to the Mountain of Transfiguration where we can able to encounter God face to face. We have to head towards Jerusalem and accompany Jesus in the most trying moments of his life, his passion and death. As the disciples were able to witness first hand the transfiguration of Jesus, a glimpse of his final victory which can give us the courage to carry on. They are being prepared by the Lord to be ready enough to face the upcoming trials that awaits them. But isn’t meaningful that with the foreshadowing moment of Jesus glorious resurrection (his transfiguration), a promise was given through a voice: «This is my Beloved Son, listen to him.» A promise that we are not alone in facing life difficulties. We have Jesus by our side. He is with us as what St. Paul reminded the Romans. That «If God is with us, who shall be against us?» He intercedes for us. For our part, we have to listen, to hold on to him, to keep our hopes alive, and to look forward that death is not the last resort we all have, but new life. New life in Jesus Christ.
25 February 2024 | Second Sunday of Lent
Mk 9:2-10: This is my beloved Son
Jesus took Peter, James, and John and led them up a high mountain apart by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no fuller on earth could bleach them. Then Elijah appeared to them along with Moses, and they were conversing with Jesus. Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, «Rabbi, it is good that we are here! Let us make three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.» He hardly knew what to say, they were so terrified. Then a cloud came, casting a shadow over them; from the cloud came a voice, «This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.» Suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone but Jesus alone with them.
As they were coming down from the mountain, he charged them not to relate what they had seen to anyone, except when the Son of Man had risen from the dead. So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what rising from the dead meant.
ALDRIN CARLO MERCADO PEREZ
Piarist