Weekly thoughts on the Sunday Gospel, readings or a topic...

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seeing your life through the lens of the gospels – Luke 9:28-36
1. On the mountain, the disciples saw Jesus in a new way. His appearance changed. Sometimes in friendships there are experiences when we get to know a friend in a deeper way. This can also happen in our relationship with God. Recall such experiences in your life. Remember what it was like for you, and give thanks. How do such memories sustain you in difficult times?
2. The clear vision of Jesus with Moses and Elijah was followed by a frightening experience of being in a cloud. It was in the midst of the cloud that the disciples were instructed: ‘This is my Son, my Chosen, listen to him.’ Have you had the experience of learning an important truth about yourself, or about your relationship with God, from moments of confusion as well as from times of joy?
3. The disciples were prepared for this experience by getting an invitation from Jesus to come apart, to withdraw to the mountain. Have there been times when going apart was an important element in preparing you for a significant experience?
4. Peter wanted to build three tents. He wanted to hold on to the experience. Have there been experiences that you wanted to hold on to?  – John Byrne, OSA

The Deep End
Jesus takes the disciples up to the mountain top in today’s Gospel. In that space, they have a profound experience and are invited to see Jesus for who He really is. One can empathise with the disciples in this story as they do not want to leave that space. We all have had experiences that we want to last forever and are hugely disappointed when they are over. However, commitment to any cause very often involves a long and painful journey. Like the disciples in the Gospel today, there is a ‘hook’ moment, when Jesus or any leader shows us something different, a vision, a dream, something that is so wonderful and hope-filled that we commit there and then to making it happen. Then we realise that there is much work to be done and the path will not be so easy. Obstacles will arise, people will fall away, enthusiasm will waver, there will be set backs and disappointments. We are being called to commitment today, to the more difficult path. We are being called to open our ears and eyes to the Gospel message of transfiguration, of transformation.
Per capita, Ireland is one of the highest polluters in Europe. This is not a statistic to be proud of. We know we can do better. Coming down from the mountain, like the disciples, means making changes in our lifestyles that lower each of our carbon footprints. We start with ourselves.
‘We require a new and universal solidarity... All of us can cooperate as instruments of God for the care of creation, each according to his or her own cultures, experience, involvements and talents.’ Pope Francis, Laudato Si’, 14  – Jane Mellett

(from Intercom)