Coming Down the Mountain

I love this Gospel passage! 

 “Jesus… led them up a high mountain apart by themselves.”  What a great hike that would be.  Most of my encounters with Jesus can be that combination of excitement and a little fear.  It’s not always easy when Jesus invites you on a journey.  Sometimes it can be daunting, like hiking up a high mountain.  I’m a little older than most, not in the best shape of my life, and I have asthma so throw all of that into the mix and I’m a little nervous about the high mountain. I could say the same about my spiritual life.

But it’s not about my capabilities. Hey, I’m with Jesus.  It doesn’t really matter if I achieve it to the top or pass away on the path.  God has me, he invited me and I have confidence in him and his plan. That tenacity gives me freedom from my shortcomings and the tasks ahead. 

So I take the time to be with the Lord, apart by myself. And in the quiet moments of prayer, or on a retreat, or in front of the Blessed Sacrament, I find his “dazzling white” glory.  I’m in love with Jesus.  I don’t want to leave.  I echo Peter in saying, “Rabbi, it is good that we are here.”  Let’s stay here and live here.

Reality check – we may not be of this world, but we do live here.  

Thus, I’m coming down the mountain.  I’m fortified from my encounter with the Lord.  My heart is filled with joy, courage and energy all at the same time.  Jesus is risen from the dead. Now is the time to tell others.  It is good that we are here at St. Joseph parish in 2024.  Are you ready to engage our little corner of the world?