What if your parish became Mt. Tabor?

Jesus is transfigured, meaning that his glory is revealed, he appears differently to the apostles, but he is not transformed. Jesus doesn't change, because his glory is always with him. The apostles just need the reassurance and the kick in the pants to get them through the coming saga that will lead them from the upper room to their own Calvary. The apostles, on the other hand, are transformed - as is particularly evident in the person of St. Peter.

He is enthralled by the glory he sees. He is happy to pitch a few tents (not even one for himself) and just watch Jesus talking with Moses and Elijah. He is willing to settle and not be a part of the action, if it means no Calvary. His suggestion, however, doesn't even get a response from Jesus. Instead, the bright cloud overshadows them and the voice of God thunders: "Listen to him!"

Here is where I get hooked. The brightness of God causes a shadow; the apostles fall to their faces.

I imagine that if I were at Mass, and suddenly the spiritual became visible to me - I would do exactly the same thing. OH MY GOD, would reverently jolt through my mind and I'd hit the ground. The  brightness and the majesty and the awe would instantly be so overwhelming that I would sense myself to be in a dark mire in comparison. The sun would be as a pitiful lamp, and I would be unable to see with my merely human eyes. I would breathlessly wait as a sweet terror filled my soul. In my heart would be the words, "take up your cross and follow me and you will be my disciple." The implied truth being that this glory will not overwhelm me, will not terrify, will only absorb and devour me as only true love can, if I can only do as he bids: Listen to him!

I can hardly breathe.

Listen to him are the last words spoken, and then...

Jesus touches them, and says, "BE NOT AFRAID."

The very first words that are spoken by the Lord, after the command to listen. Be not afraid.

When the apostles lifted their heads, there was no one there but Jesus.

Before me, raising my eyes sensing a mundane and relieving calm, I would see only the simple, beautiful, sweet presence of Christ in the blessed Sacrament.

The choice then is mine. Be transformed and go down the mountain into the valley of true discipleship, or pitch a tent and stay put. We know Christ went down. Will we follow?