Director of Flaget Center, Archdiocese of Louisville, Kentucky
Not tell anyone? In today’s day and age, if someone had just gone up a mountain and witnessed the Transfiguration and did not take an immediate picture with their cell phone or tablet, that would indeed be a second miracle happening in just as many seconds.
It seems to me folks are taking and sharing more and more pictures these days to “capture” moments. Some of these are everyday happenings and others capture their everyday miracles. They probably would not be giving Jesus the opportunity to say, “Tell the vision to no one.” More than likely they would not be giving even themselves the time to internalize what they had witnessed, to feel and comprehend what they had just seen. They would have captured it, though.
But, Jesus companions that day -- Peter, James, and John -- did keep it to themselves, but had a few questions for Jesus when they reached the bottom of the mountain.
Why was he, Jesus, the Messiah, here before Elijah? Did he Jesus or the prophets get the order incorrect? (Malachi 4:5-6) They had probably already “captured” moments of when John the Baptist had been in their midst, but had not realized he was the one to come before the Messiah as Elijah.
Jesus’ companions had the gift of His personal presence and the time to ask the questions. We do not have that gift. During these last few days of Advent may we find the time to be quiet with our questions and ponder about how Jesus is with us and around us. May we, too, take the time to be fully present, to feel, and to question what is happening right around us rather than “capture” them.
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