This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him." When the disciples heard this, they fell prostrate and were very much afraid. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, "Rise, and do not be afraid. -Matt 17:5b-7
Friends, God is good all the time!
In Christian tradition, the Feast of the Transfiguration recalls the moment in Jesus's life when three of His apostles, Peter, John, and James, witnessed His pure magnificence as the Son of God. This out of the world experience they enjoyed prompted Peter to express the satisfaction of beholding such glorious sight, "Lord, it is good for us to be here" (Matt 17:4). What is your own special out of the world moment with the Lord at prayer or Mass? Imagine having one such moment at prayer or Mass; when that day comes, time at prayer or Mass will seem to be too fast than you will relish it.
While Peter was caught in the moment of excitement and didn't want it to end, he soon learned what the transfiguration was intended for. It was meant to elicit obedience to Jesus as the beloved Son of God. All this shows how the good news of Jesus Christ, in whom God reveals His plans for our lives and renews humanity's aspiration, must be adhered to by all those who know Christ and follow Him. Jesus said, "Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them" Jn 14:23). It is a privilege to know Jesus as His disciple, a brother or sister, and a friend.
Peter and the disciples' profound desire to remain on the mountain is indicative of how spiritual disciplines produce the satisfaction of the human heart. We can recall and relate to St. Augustine’s famous words, "Thou hast made us for thyself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you." Becoming a Christian requires a relationship with Jesus that leads one to discover God's plan. God has entrusted everything about us to His Son. So, we must listen to Him.
There is also another sense to understand the out of the world experience that Peter, and his colleagues had. In a way, it shows that anything worthwhile is uphill. And that which is uphill requires daily disciplines to maintain the equilibrium that fosters such attainment. A Christian who is unwilling to discipline himself or herself for prayer, for worship, for the study of scriptures, and for the Mass, to enjoy friendship with Jesus, and seek God's vision and plan for their lives never discovers what truly matters. It is those who do these that eventually say, “it is good to be here.” Because most of the time, they also receive a different kind of out of the world experience and become exceedingly happy and satisfied. Prayer blessings: Lord, set our hearts on the right things. Amen.