What do you think Peter, John, and James were thinking as they were walking up the mountain with Jesus?
After all they had been Jesus’ constant companions for a while. They knew that he prayed, and I’m sure that there had been many other times when they went with Him to pray.
Do you think that maybe Peter, John, and James were going along with Jesus in much the same way that each of us goes for an occasional walk, maybe with someone we know…especially someone we know well? Perhaps a spouse or someone who you have a very close relationship with. Someone you can talk to about anything.
You might be walking along, just talking about life. Maybe the weather, plans for an upcoming trip, the kids. Not expecting anything too dramatic or life changing to happen. Then, BAM. It’s like getting hit by a 2 x 4 and your life is turned upside down. You are changed forever!
Your companion says or does something that you never expected and you know that you will never be the same again.
Now, if I were a betting man, I’d bet that it has happened to almost everyone here at one time or another in your life. You may need to think about it for a minute, but those moments will be vivid memories in your mind.
Matthew Kelly gives us a great example of this type of life changing experience in the prologue of Rediscover Jesus. You remember reading it a couple of weeks ago… the business man is asked “Are you Jesus?” Now this example is different because it was a chance encounter with a stranger, but the moment will forever be a vivid reminder of the moment that changed the business man’s life. It made him see life, and people differently.
Think about your own life for a minute… Has someone ever said, or done something that completely changed your life? I know that it has happened in my life, and more than once.
The first time was in the summer of 1984. I asked Mary to be my wife, I don’t know what she was thinking, but she did say yes.
The second time was in the spring of 1988. We learned that we were about to become a larger family. My life was changed in a very similar way again in winter 1991, and spring 1992 as our family grew.
The most recent time was 5 years ago when my father went home to God. My family was never what I would call affectionate, but dad’s relationship with God was evident in his love for the family as we gathered around his bed the week before he died. And dad’s relationship with God allowed me to be at peace as I said goodbye for the last time.
Each of these moments are vividly imprinted in my mind, and each of them was life changing for me.
Not unlike what I’m sure happened to Peter, John, and James when they saw Jesus’ face become dazzling white and realized that He was speaking to Moses and Elijah.
Not only did these moments become part of who I am, but they are key moments in my relationship with God. They are the moments when, like getting hit by a 2 x 4, my life changed forever. They are the moments when I knew that God was right there with me, walking up the mountain prepared to reveal Himself to me in some way that would draw me closer to Him.
As we continue our Lenten journey I pray that everyone here, and those who are not, recognize God in their lives, but unlike Peter, John, and James don’t fall silent. Share your journey and your relationship with God with everyone you meet along the way.