 I will never forget the mountain climb my husband and I experienced in 2009 while on pilgrimage in Italy. Even though it was an optional part of the pilgrimage, it was both an exciting and terrifying prospect.* It was exciting because I have always been a bit adventurous, though as I have gotten older, there are certain areas in which I am adventurous in theory more than in practice; it was terrifying because for much of my life I had a fear of heights. However, my adventurous side won out mostly because once we got there, I felt that I had gone all that way and therefore needed to complete the pilgrimage. The mountain climb was really not an option for me, since I had promised to offer it as prayerful sacrifice for a friend who was in great need. I could not back out, even though the temptation was strong at a few points. This was pilgrimage, after all, which often means there might be some discomfort or challenges along the way, but they ultimately lead to graces if one is open.  In a way, climbing Mt. Mucrone was akin to what it may have been like for the apostles. Following Jesus was both exciting and challenging: they were no doubt excited by what they witnessed while being with Him, but they also struggled because He said and did things no one else said or did. His lessons were not always clear to them, especially not when He spoke of dying and rising on the third day. For Peter, James, and John, Jesus provided an especially unique experience which involved climbing Mt. Tabor; Jesus asked them to accompany Him up the mountain, and once to the top, He transfigured before them. He changed in appearance, shining brilliantly with a radiance that was “dazzling.” (Luke 9:28-36)** Moses and Elijah appeared as a cloud covered everything, and all three conversed while the awestruck apostles watched, not comprehending what they were witnessing. Then a voice from Heaven was heard: "This is my Son. Listen to Him." As they made their way back down the mountain, Jesus asked them not to talk about it with anyone until after He had risen. While struggling to make sense of what they had experienced, the men who went up the mountain were no longer the same. Something had begun to shift within them, way beyond their ability to understand at that moment.  When I climbed Mt. Mucrone during my pilgrimage, though quite different from the apostles, I too, had a transformative experience. While I did not see a transfiguration as they did, interiorly one did occur. At the top after a strenuous climb, our group went across a land bridge to get to the Cross at what technically is the summit. I volunteered to stay behind to take pictures, a way to get out of crossing the frightening land bridge, in all honesty. The time alone, however, was what the Lord used to provide an experience of His presence. Like the apostles on Mt. Tabor, (though without Moses and Elijah!), a cloud settled on the mountain and I knew I was in the presence of the Lord especially because the sense of peace and joy were so vivid.*** Something within me was transfigured because of the presence of God; in addition to great consolation, I soon realized I was healed of the fear of heights. Descending a mountain presents different challenges than ascending because one is effectively looking down the entire time, but as we descended, I had no fear at all.  The three apostles who ascended Mt. Tabor probably knew that something was changing within their hearts, and probably realized it more fully, under the power of the Holy Spirit, after Jesus’ death and resurrection. That is, they realized that in being present at the Transfiguration of Jesus, they too had transfigured. Only then could they recognize that their relationship with Jesus was a process of growth spiritually such that everything they needed, including understanding, love, mercy, forgiveness, and the courage and wisdom needed for leadership, began with the experience atop that mountain. Thus, every challenge that comes our way is also an invitation to transfigure. Every mountain we have to climb and every cloud that enfolds us, (even a dark one), is an invitation to transform and grow, especially when we feel like the road is very difficult and we are not sure we can make it. If we rely on Jesus to get us up the mountain, we can experience a change deep within our hearts. The more difficult the climb, the more we can learn about ourselves and the call to holiness we have been given.  Transfiguration means that we now have the capability to experience everything differently. Every experience of beauty becomes an opportunity to become more beautiful; every experience of love is an opportunity to become more loving. Every time we are forgiven our sins, every time we receive a Sacrament, is an occasion which offers transfiguration. Transfiguration is about being changed so we can experience the love of Jesus more deeply and then better share it as His disciples. That is the key to understanding the event on Mt. Tabor: it is about accepting His presence and His great love, coming to know Him a bit better, and allowing ourselves to be changed by the experience. This is the way of holiness: becoming more like Jesus by allowing ourselves to be enfolded in Love to become Love.  May we open ourselves to transfiguration into holiness just like the apostles! May we invite Jesus into our hearts more deeply with every opportunity God provides! May we trust Jesus enough to follow Him both up and down the mountains of transfiguration in our lives! And may we be enfolded in His love and in His glory! Let us continue to meet in the radiance of Love, the very heart of Jesus! Peace!
©Michele L. Catanese * The pilgrimage was called In the Footsteps of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati. Because our pilgrimage was in 2009, he was still a Blessed (beatified); as of last September, Pier Giorgio was canonized. Thus, he is now Saint Pier Giorgio Frassati. ** What is interesting in this passage is that Luke noted that Jesus was praying when He transfigured. (Luke 9:29) *** It was not lost on me at the time that in Scripture God is encountered on mountains, such as Moses and Elijah’s encounters in the Old Testament. Images: 1. My photo; a nearby mountain as seen from Mt. Mucrone, near Oropa, Italy. The cloud descending on the top of the mountain is one of my favorite photos since it reminds me of my experience. 2. Painting; The Transfiguration, by Duccio di Buoninsegna. 3. My photo; at the start of the climb. Mt. Mucrone's peak is behind me. 4. Oil painting; Le Soliel, by Vincent van Gogh. 5. Painting; Landscape, by Pablo Picasso. This was from an early part of his painting career. 6. Icon; Cristo Pantocrator, by Fr. William Hart McNichols. You can find this at fineartamerica.com/featured/cristo-pantocrator-175-william-hart-mcnichols.html Note: In compliance with GDPR rules, I wish to make it clear that I do not gather any information on any of my readers at any time. Comments are closed.
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