There was a group of mountaineers which decided to make a historical record being the first group that reached the peak of the highest mountain of the world. When they finally did it, they got the attention of the whole world. All the television networks talked about them and their background. They became instant celebrities. Then they went back home still being famous among other mountaineers of the world. Years later, there was no more news about them. Their fame faded. They just lived their usual ordinary life after their “mountain experience”. Only few could remember their names and what they achieved in life.
My dear friends, in one way or the other, we experience joy, excitement, happiness and beauty of living especially when we achieve our goal or attain some success in life. If we use the imagery of our scripture passage for today, we call it a “mountain experience”. It is an experience of fulfillment, like celebrating a birthday or having a party where one is the focus of all the attentions. It is like passing a board exam, graduating with honors, receiving one’s first salary or bonus, having a honeymoon after the wedding, etc. It is a happy experience wherein one does not want to put an end. It is like saying there is something good in life, and it feels so good to live one’s life. It is a kind of experience similar to the experience of the three disciples who accompanied Jesus on the mountain. The Gospel narrated that Jesus took Peter, James and John and led them up a high mountain. It was a “mountain experience” for them seeing “something good” up there –“Rabbi, it is good that we are here!” They appreciated their life, their existence. This was so because they were blessed to witness the glory of Jesus’ Transfiguration. They had the privilege to see God’s goodness. They were overwhelmed by their happy experience that one among them did not want to put an end on this. Peter said to Jesus, "Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." Their happy experience could be a good reason for them to remain on the mountain rather than in going back to their ordinary life. Peter would somehow want to say, “Let’s stay here. Let us just be happy. I do not want to have problems anymore. I do not want to go down anymore.” But a voice said to them, "This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!" God wanted the disciples to be realistic. As Jesus led them up a high mountain to experience happiness, Jesus would also lead them down to face the ordinariness of life and its adversities. They had to go down and face the real situation they had, but this time with a new perspective. They had been happy and found God in their midst; so too in their suffering, God will be there in their midst. Life is not about a search for happiness but a journey with God.
Today, our Gospel reminds us Catholics who look for enjoying our lives in whatever ways or reasons, that we cannot just escape a hard life. The reality of trials, difficulties, pain, sickness, etc. serves as an admonition to make ourselves accept any transitions in life, like passing from the state of happiness to the state of unhappiness, and vice-versa. And in any state of our life, the best thing we can do is to listen to the voice of God. We have to settle ourselves down with Jesus and confront the difficulties which await us. Our mountain experience, our happy experience gives us the assurance that God knows what is happening to us. What we only need is to listen to Him. Amen.
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