As Jesus moves closer to Jerusalem with his disciples, some deep questions are raised. Jesus is spending more time with the disciples and they must have been wondering who is this rabbi that they are following?

The questions that Jesus asks are important, they go to the very heart of his ministry and they become a teaching moment for Jesus. Jesus begins to prepare the disciples for the coming time when they will be without him.

Jesus asks Peter who do people say the Son of Man is? He knows that people are saying he is John the Baptist risen from the dead, or one of the prophets. Jesus then said directly to Peter, “But who do you say that I am?” (Lk 9:20).

Peter replies with the momentous statement “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God”. Jesus the goes on to tell them of his coming passion and death which Peter cannot accept. Jesus replies not only must this happen to him but anyone who follows him must take up his cross and follow him.

About a week later Jesus takes with him Peter, James and John and goes up a mountain. While they are there, Jesus became dazzlingly bright and they can hardly look at him. Then with Jesus appeared Moses and Elijah.

Peter is confused and suggests building three tents, one for Jesus and one each for Moses and Elijah. Then a cloud came down and covered the mountain top. In the Jewish mind this could only mean the presence of Yahweh. Then a voice came out of the cloud “This is my Son the beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!” It had to be the voice of Yahweh.

The voice says listen to him, even when what he asks is hard and you don’t like it. The three disciples are filled with fear at what was happening and they were on the ground hiding their faces. Jesus then came and touched them and told them to stand and not to be afraid. When they looked up there was only Jesus.

There are many times in our lives when things or people can get the better of us and we cannot bear it. It is at these times that we need to pray for help, strength and guidance. We may not see an instant answer but we may have been transfigured in such a way that we at least can go on in hope.

As a result of the sacred time on the mountain, Peter James and John would have been transfigured in as much as although they did not fully realise where Jesus or they would end up, their faith was buoyed by what they had seen and heard on the mountain.

During these weeks of Lent as we pray and ponder in our masses, let us realise we are in the presence of “Only Jesus” particularly when we are joined with him in communion.

Let us pray for our transfiguration as we come to celebrate the Resurection of our Saviour “Only Jesus”.