It Is Good That We Are Here
“Rabbi, it is good that we are here.”
Saint Peter was overcome at that moment. The “teacher” he had been following was suspended in the air and glowing with a radiant light, brighter than any fuller could bleach. He knew of Moses and Elijah from the scrolls and from the teaching of the rabbis. But suddenly Moses and Elijah were there in person, at the right and left of Jesus. It was Heaven on Earth, and it was overwhelming.
The Transfiguration has always been one of my very favorite stories and I was beaming all through Mass last night to have it as the Sunday Gospel (Mark 9:2-10). I could write for pages and pages and pages about it. But I’ll try to be shorter than that here.
I had the gift of having that passage assigned to me in a rosary wheel to contemplate every day and it is rich with things to think about: It’s the glimpse of Jesus’ glory in Heaven with the communion of saints, the inverse of the crucifixion and an allegory of the spiritual life when contrasted with the other nine apostles failing to heal the boy at the bottom of the mountain.
It is rich with prayer intentions for humility in the realization of Jesus’ greatness, the blessing of identity and mission, the call to prudence in speech, and the intense light of Jesus’ truth. It’s both the difficulty of spiritually climbing up the mountain to encounter Jesus and the heart-wrenching pain of having to spiritually climb back down and out of that intense love because He won’t let us build spiritual tents: the feeling of Jesus’ closeness will ebb and flow until we have Him forever in Heaven.
I have loved considering Saints Peter, James and John and the favoritism Jesus showed them. I have loved considering the other nine who were not invited, even though He still loves them. Some people have more powerful experiences on Earth than others, and I have pondered how everyone still benefits.
I have found it interesting how we are still expected to have faith and the ability to successfully minister even without the closeness of Jesus at the bottom of the mountain. I am fascinated how confusion and pride overtook the other nine as soon as Jesus left, and how Jesus didn’t say, “Well, I can’t blame you, since I wasn’t there to fix it,” but rebuked them for giving in. That is a very powerful rebuke considering all the times I didn’t feel like praying or was losing faith even as I was ministering or didn’t feel like carrying out the things I told Jesus I would do. I am charged with forging ahead regardless of how I feel.
I have found it amusing that my dear friend Saint Peter didn’t know what to say, so he talked anyway. I just really love him! “Let us build three tents!” he said. And I love that Jesus turns all things to good for those who believe (Romans 8:28,) because many years later, a church was built on the real mountain of Tabor… with three tents – one for Jesus, one for Moses and one for Elijah!
I have considered Saint Peter’s words, “Rabbi, it is good that we are here.” Whether he knew what he was saying or not, he was right. To be in the light of Jesus’ splendor is very, very good. I love the opportunities that Jesus gives me to climb the mountain to see Him – whether on a retreat or during Mass or in confession or just during an intense experience during regular prayer. Whatever experience I have of Him is the best experience of my life - my life which is dedicated to Him.
It was what I heard in prayer as what to name my website: "Good that we are here." I am happy to be as close to Jesus as I can on Earth until I am united to Him forever, and I am happy to bring you with me.