There was Michael now sitting on the stage of the university auditorium. The place was packed with students, lecturers and the parents and other family members of those who were graduating.

He had just finished his valedictory speech and was rewarded with a standing ovation. He couldn’t be happier and was elated to be able to enjoy this awesome moment with his mother and three siblings who sat proudly in the audience with broad grins on their faces.

His face too shone as if lit up by the sun. He could not help but evoke the image of this father who had passed away only one year before. “If only he could be here,” he thought.

He believed, however, that his father was there in spirit. He also thought of his favourite aunt, Edna, who too had passed away a few years before; she was so supportive of him and encouraged him in his work. He had a vision of his father’s face before him and was sure he was hearing him say, “This is my son, the beloved; he enjoys my favour. Listen to him.”

We know that similar scenes, though with different protagonists, are repeated so often in life and when they occur they occasion a feeling of joy akin to ecstasy. If only, we wish, we could make three tents here to encapsulate this moment in time.

But it was not to be, for this experience, wonderful as it might have been, must come to an end. They have to return home and continue their normal lives, knowing full well that they had savoured something that beggars description.

This is one of the scenes that passed through my mind as I reflected on the gospel passage of this second Sunday of lent. It is as if the Father prepares us for eternal life by giving us a foretaste of the kingdom of heaven.

We need just recall some time in our lives when we were extremely happy and wanted to share it with our loved ones: our wedding, when we got our examination results and were overjoyed with success, when we saw an extraordinary sunset or exquisite beach.

This is the moment when we or our loved ones present were transfigured, for their whole spirit was lit up. At these times we become too overwhelmed with joy to adequately describe our feelings.

For others to understand they have to experience it themselves. We realise then that this has to be a gift of the Lord who is smiling on us and claiming us as his own child.

Our own similar experiences help us to understand what happened to Jesus, Peter, James and John on the mountain. A deep reflection on this passage gives us a glimpse of what the resurrection is like, when a bright cloud will cover us with a shadow and a voice coming from the cloud will be heard saying, “This is my child, a beloved one, who enjoys my favour.” O happy day!

Lord, we thank you for those moments in life when, with our loved ones, we are able to enjoy a transfiguration experience. At these times our face shines like the sun and our clothes become as white as the light.

We thank you for allowing us to share these moments with those for whom we care the most. We cherish these moments for we are conscious of your presence, that you are looking down on us and claiming us as your own beloved children.

We thank you for those teachers, family members, friends, leaders, who were able to help us and inspired us to attain this moment in time.

We ask your forgiveness for the times we hindered others from experiencing happiness that they deserved. We did this by “mauvais languing” them and spreading all kinds of calumny against them.

There are times when we knew that a colleague deserved a promotion but we did all in our power to make sure that this did not happen. A fellow student was seeking some much needed information to complete his research and we were afraid of the competition so we hid what was being sought.

Lead us, Lord, up that high mountain where we can experience your presence. Give us success in our work. May we find the help we need from those around us so that when we are down and out we may be brought to that high mountain where we can feel close to you and experience a happiness that surpasses understanding.

Give us parents, teachers, friends who will encourage us throughout our lives so that we will attain our goals. May they guide us to the vision of the Son of Man risen from the dead. Amen.

Gospel Meditations for February are by Felix Edinborough a parishioner of St Anthony’s, Petit Valley.