In our Lenten journey we leave the desert where we began last week and climb up a mountain. Traditionally the mountain in question is Mount Tabor, which overlooks the Sea of Galilee and has one of the most-breath-taking views in the whole world. It also literally takes your breath away as it is a very steep climb to the top! It is easy to see why some of the most significant encounters between God and man (it usually is a man!) in the Bible take place on mountain tops – mountains reach to the skies; they require effort to climb and so deter the lazy and half-hearted; they are places of stunning beauty and pure air, far away from all the chaos and distractions of the plains below. They are places where we see more clearly “the bigger picture” – the grandeur of God’s creation and our own small place within it. We need to find such places/times in our life.

Mountain tops are also places where we hear things in a different way. Hearing and listening are at the heart to today’s Gospel. Jesus takes Peter, James & John up the mountain firstly so that they can see him transfigured into his Easter glory – a stunning vision which will sustain them in the dark days to come. But he also needs them to hear the Father’s voice, just as he himself needs to hear his Father’s affirming words as he begins his final journey towards Jerusalem and the Cross. The Father’s message is very simple: “This is my Son, the Beloved. He enjoys my favour – listen to him.” Listening in the Bible means not just to hear but to take the Word to heart and put it into practice. So the Father’s words at the Transfiguration are not just suggestions/advice, but a commandment to obey Jesus. Lent is a perfect time to do this – to listen to Jesus more closely in prayer & Scripture

For me (Fr Richard speaking!) Jesus is teaching me/us such a key lesson with the Transfiguration - our constant need to make/find time in our busy lives to stand back & look at the bigger picture of what it’s all about. And to see our need to make time to be with God in our everyday lives – to ‘go up the mountain’ and bring our lives to him as they are, and ask him to guide and direct us. Can you make some ‘Transfiguration time’ this week?

With blessings & prayers from Fr Richard, Fr Ephrem & all the parish team
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------