“Jesus took with him Peter and James and John and led them up a high mountain where they could be by themselves. There in their presence he was transfigured.”

Today’s Gospel passage invites us on this the Feast of the Transfiguration to reflect on the many transfiguration experiences we share during our own lifetime, and those of others with whom we journey, probably during

1. a group retreat – teacher/catechist and pupils
2. a COR retreat with young adults
3. an Engaged or Marriage Encounter Weekend
4. The RCIA programme
5. An Alpha course
6. A parish mission during Lent
7. A rehabilitation programme with a child, friend or spouse

Or the journey we all made with the Soca Warriors, as their dream to go to the World Cup became a reality.

We recall the painful journey we make up the “high mountain” before and during the initial stage when we invite, encourage, beg, coerce or even sometimes force others to participate fully.

I remember on a COR retreat weekend three of the participants actually ran away on the first night and had to be sent back by their parents.

However, we know only too well, after crossing that first hurdle what follows is very often an experience that we wish like Peter to “build three tents” to savour the moment of transfiguration forever.

This brings to mind my own experience of a Marriage Encounter weekend. My husband and I did not know what to expect as all we were told was “If you think you have a good marriage then come and make it great!”

So like Peter, James and John we went along with Jesus – our directors of the weekend – where we could be alone by ourselves.

Through the dynamics of the programme we were invited to really take a deep, long, hard look at our relationship up to that point. For me it was truly a journey up “a high mountain”, hard, arduous and even painful at times, as we shared with each other honestly and truthfully all those pent up and innermost feelings.

This liberating exercise enabled us to rediscover ourselves and each other in ways that were revealing and transforming. We saw each other in a new light – we were transfigured in each other’s presence. The experience was so wonderful that we were afraid to lose the moment.

I recall now that we were so caught up with our new experience that we never heard the lunch bell on the Sunday and had to be fetched from our room as lunch was being held up.

What an embarrassing but glorious moment it was as we were greeted with a thunderous welcome in the dining room by the other couples! What joy filled that room, every couple appeared to be so much in love with each other!

As we made our way down from Mount St Benedict in the afternoon, Tony and I chatted about our experience and wished that we could have shared our joy with our friends. We promised to cherish every moment of the weekend for as long as possible by continuing our daily dialogue.

Needless to say it was not too long after that “a cloud came covering us in a shadow.” Our relationship was threatened but somehow from within the very shadow came the strength that helped us to weather the storm that ensued.

This enabled us to emerge stronger to continue on our daily journey with its many deaths and resurrections, that allow us to share our story with others.

Lord, we thank you for the Jesus persons in our life who take us with them and lead us to a high mountain to be by ourselves and to be transfigured – retreat directors, parish priests, group leaders, religious sisters, persons like Leo Benhakker and his technical team.
We thank you for the transfiguration moments we experience when

1. we finally make a break through with a slow learner
2. an addict of any kind takes his final step towards rehabilitation
3. a couple rediscovers the love they once shared
4. a child returns home

Lord, these moments are so wonderful that we want them to last forever, we want to build three tents; but we know now that they cannot last and that we must come down the mountain again.
Sorry, Lord, for the times when a cloud comes over and covers us in a shadow that we become afraid and do not listen to your voice as you say “This is my Son, he beloved. Listen to Him,” so that we can draw the strength we need to face our difficulties.
Forgive us, too, Lord, when we fail to encourage and lead others to make the journey up the high mountain with us so that they can be transformed in our presence.
We ask you, Lord, to send us spiritual leaders who would direct and guide us on our journey to get to know you through a deep and personal relationship.
Lord, we pray that we as a people would not panic or lose hope when our relationships or achievements are covered by a cloud for we know that you are also present in the shadow.

Gospel Meditations for August are by Miriam Mannette. Miriam is a retired primary school teacher and Confirmation catechist. She and her husband Tony are members of the Santa Rosa, Arima parish community.