Jesus took Peter, John, and James and went up the mountain to pray. While he was praying his face changed in appearance and his clothing became dazzling white. And behold, two men were conversing with him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his exodus that he was going to accomplish in Jerusalem. Peter and his companions had been overcome by sleep, but becoming fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. As they were about to part from him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good that we are here; let us make three tents, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” But he did not know what he was saying. While he was still speaking, a cloud came and cast a shadow over them, and they became frightened when they entered the cloud. Then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my chosen Son; listen to him.” After the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. They fell silent and did not at that time tell anyone what they had seen
Salesian Quote
“When you come before the Lord, talk to him if you can. If you can’t, just stay there, show yourself, and don’t try too hard to do anything else.”
-St. Francis de Sales (Letter to Mademoiselle du Soulfour, OEA XIII p. 385)
Reflection
In today's Gospel, we see an awestruck Peter attempting to converse with the transfigured Christ, with poor results. Conversation with God can be a struggle. Like Peter, we can talk and talk to God, yet feel like God never responds to us. God’s first language is silence. If all we do is talk at God, we will lack the space and silence needed to truly hear God. We can put too much pressure on our own activity in prayer, thinking we have to say or do a particular thing in order to get a reply from God. In reality, often the best thing we can do is calm ourselves and quietly sit in the presence of the Lord. It is in that silence, where listening to God becomes possible.
Mr. Joseph Katarsky, OSFS
