Reflection: Mark 9:2-10

Second Sunday of Lent - Mark 9:2-10

This Gospel reading is the account of Jesus’ transfiguration. It is quite a remarkable scene. It begins as Jesus takes James, John and Peter up a mountain. Did these men wonder why Jesus was only taking the 3 of them up the mountain? Did they wonder why Jesus chose them?

When they arrived on the mountain, they were gifted with a wondrous experience: Jesus was transfigured before them! His clothing was changed. His garments became a dazzling white. These disciples also received another gift: Moses and Elijah appeared. What a wondrous experience for these ordinary and simple men!

Moses and Elijah then conversed with Jesus for a time. James, John and Peter were stunned and awed. They also were terrified. They had never experienced anything like this. These disciples told Jesus that they wanted to put up three tents: one each for Jesus, Elijah and Moses.

Then in the next moment, they had another stunning experience: a voice from heaven spoke to them! This voice told them: “This is my beloved Son.” Then the voice added that they should listen to Jesus. In the next instant, Jesus and the three disciples once again were alone.

I assume that in this encounter, these disciples had a life-changing experience. They must have looked at Jesus with very different eyes. After all, God had told them that Jesus was his Son. It must have taken awhile to absorb this experience. At times, did they question their sanity? Did they truly hear the words that God had spoken to them? It must have been a blessing for them that they could process this experience with one another and with Jesus.

Ask yourself: how would you react if you had an experience like this? Would we have the faith to believe that God was right there with us? Or would we be skeptical and question our experience? Perhaps we might even think we were hallucinating. And yet, I would guess that most, if not all of us, would love to have such a close encounter with God or Jesus. What a gift and blessing this encounter would be!

Most likely today we will not have a vision or hear a voice from heaven speaking to us. Yet, perhaps today God is saying to each one of us: “You are my beloved child.” God loves us as deeply as God loves Jesus! Do we believe and trust that this is true?

Today, I invite you to sit down, be still and allow God’s word and love to fill your mind and heart. Hear God speaking to you: “You are my beloved child. Allow my presence and my love to fill you and surround you. I am always with you! Let me in! Trust me!”