Mt. Tabor
2nd Sunday of Lent (A)
If you make a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, you will spend the first few days in the area of Galilee, where Jesus began his public ministry. After that, you will spend the second part in the Jerusalem area, where Jesus completed his mission in the passion and death. On the day you leave Galilee, you will make a stop at Mt. Tabor, a very high mountain that rises 1500 feet above the plains of Jezreel. This is fitting, because Jesus also began his final journey to Jerusalem by ascending this mountain with Peter, James, and John. It is where the Transfiguration took place.
The view from the top is breathtaking. Holy Land pilgrims in the midst of a grueling schedule immediately understand why Peter would say, “it is good to be here” (Mt 17:4). But not just because mountains are naturally uplifting places.
It is a common practice in the Bible to ascend a mountain in order to speak with God, as Moses did at Mt. Sinai when he received the Law. On Mt. Tabor there is a Greek monastery as well as a Franciscan convent, and one of the most beautiful basilicas in the Holy Land. Sitting quietly in the church and taking in the momentous event which happened on this mountaintop 2000 years ago, one can still perceive the echo of the Father’s voice, and the “afterglow” of that glory which shone like the sun on the face of Christ. Heaven broke forth on this mountaintop, and its spiritual effects continue to touch pilgrims, who always wish to remain longer than the tour guides allow.
This vision was important for the apostles, who would have to experience the arrest and crucifixion of their Lord. Jesus spoke about his upcoming passion with Moses and Elijah, and gave the apostles a foretaste of the Resurrection.
We might not have the opportunity to visit Mt. Tabor, and in South Texas there are no mountains nearby, but within the church we have the Transfiguration. The same glory which was revealed on the mountain is present in the Tabernacle, and those who are spiritually attuned perceive there is a heavenly light and cloud within the church. A Church is not like other places. Jesus invites us to be with him here, and leave the world behind for a time. It is good to be here, and leave behind our problems and anxieties.
The Mass is an opportunity to bask in the uplifting spiritual conversation of Scripture, and in the transforming glory of the Eucharistic Presence. The trials of the world will still be waiting for us when we go back down from this place, but we can face them in the vision and strength of the Resurrection which we take with us: “the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Col 1:27).