Readings: 1st Reading; Genesis 12: 1 – 4.
Responsorial Psalm; Ps. 32 : 4 – 5, 18 -20, 22.
2nd Reading; 2 Timothy 1 : 8 – 10.
Gospel; Matthew 17 : 1 – 9.

The Gospel of today presents us with a mysterious communication followed by a faithful response. The transfiguration account gives us an intimate picture of Jesus’ glory and how He chooses to share this with His closest friends – Peter, James and John.

Experiences influence us more profoundly than talks and lectures. Such experiences may affect us deeply and this affection may continue years after the experience. The experiences on Mount Tabor had the same impact on Jesus and His companions. We hear the similar words from the clouds as pronounced at Jesus’ Baptism at the Jordan. Jesus is certainly comforted, assured and affirmed by these words. For the three apostles with Him, the words make them confirm their faith to face the dark future with Jesus.

We too, in our lives have periods of transfiguration. They may be moments of love, peace, serenity and reassurance or even moments of the experience of the presence of God. These experiences are more likely to be the fruits of sufferings and pain.Such may leave indelible marks in our lives. They may come along life’s path when we least expect them. It is not necessary to go looking for the experiences. It is not even necessary to go looking for religious experiences. They may render the rest of life religiously unimportant.

What is important is to see the way Jesus moves forward with His three best companions after the experience. He is on His way to Jerusalem, and knows what awaits Him there – Crucifixion. With the comforting voice of His Father, He feels reassured and confirmed and moves on. No turning back!. After our own peak experiences in our Christian life, God expects us to continue the way Jesus did. To come back down from the peak of the mountain and continue with a life of faith.

In another dimension, there is still something about the company. Although multitudes of people followed Jesus and walked where He walked, only twelve were among His closest associates. We can compare Jesus’ selection of His disciples to the way an incoming president handpicks his cabinet.

Of these twelve, only three were allowed to cross paths with Him – paths of principle, purpose, and destiny. These three composed Jesus’ inner circle – Peter, James and John. They are these three who were allowed to see previews of His coming attractions on the Mount of Transfiguration which we hear today. They were also allowed into the inner circle of Gethsemane to see their Master bleed as He accepted the will of His father.

In summary, these three were allowed to see things that the other nine were not. Jesus was very intimate with them that He poured His life and purpose into their spirits. Of these three, however, only one was able to go from seeing to experiencing the glory of the Kingdom of God here on earth – and that was John. John is referred to in the Gospels as ‘the other disciple’ and ‘the disciple whom Jesus loved’ (Jn 21:7). Only John recognised Jesus on the shore after His resurrection, and only John leaned on Jesus after His resurrection. It was he who received the 22 Chapters of the Book of Revelations, that have given a preview of the Glory of God and altered thousands of lives. He also wrote, “We have seen Him with our eyes and our hands have handled Him (1 Jn 1:1). Only John saw the wounds of the bleeding Jesus when they stripped Him of his garments because, of the twelve, only he went to the cross. Only John was so close that he was to minister to Jesus’ mother. Mary became as mother to John and John became as son to Mary.

Allow me to relate these truths to you and your life as a christian. Maybe you have had a chance already to show the world around you who it is that you love most. By selecting from a multitude of friends a wife, a husband and later selecting who it is that should be your best man/woman at your wedding. Maybe you have selected from among the pastors and Christians who should be your counsellor. Out of your Christian community, they can only be a few you can allow to get close to you. Out of the few, there may only be one whom you can allow to go into the very depths of your Christianity. It is virtually important that you carefully select, as Jesus did, only those whom God reveals to you as your ‘three’ or your ‘one’.

Who then can be a friend? Your best friend? The only friend who will never fail you is Jesus! He is God. He can and wants to be a true friend, your true friend. He is faithful, loving, caring and dependable. In the first reading of today, we find Abraham believe in God as a true friend would. He leaves every familiar thing to where God leads him and God fulfils His promise. This is re-echoed in James 2:23. For most of the times we fail, it is because, a ‘friend’ has failed to be faithful.

A true friend will love at all times (Proverbs 17:17) – not just when things are going well with you, but when you hurt and suffer. As a Christian, you need the friends that God gives to love you and help lick away the pain in your wounds. Many are those who will come along only when they have something to benefit from you.

In many cases, your family may be the ones who most misunderstand your commitments to love in friendship. In those times God says, ‘I will give you a friend who will stick closer than a brother’ (Proverbs 18:24). Solomon says a friend’s wounds are ‘faithful’ (Proverbs 27:6). I understand this to mean firm, to build up, to support by taking you by the right hand out of trouble and not waylaying you.

A true friend has empathy. He wants to see your disguised and innermost hurts and will want to walk in the path you are walking, so that he can best understand your plight. One who turns around to mock at you is not faithful. Christ tells His friends in the Gospel not to tell anyone what they have witnessed till He is resurrected. Jesus’ friends keep the promise. How often do we fail our friends? Make false promises and even generate malicious derogatory rumours to denigrate those who consider us as friends?

Many people think that a friend is someone who will go along with you and even compromise the truth. No! I think a true friend because of his commitment to righteousness, will recognise the wrong, will take you by the hand, and lead you into the truth. His admonitions may wound you, but this kind of wound will cause you to stand and be established.

It is normal to be hurt by bad friends who waylay, deceive, trick, and even defame you. This is God’s way of revealing to you who is a friend and purging you of contaminants that may cause infections. When you are already sure that the one with you is the one God has given, you can ascertain yourself as David said in Psalm 23:6, “Surely Goodness and Mercy (he) shall follow me all the days of my life”.

When we are shown intimacy we should enjoy being with each other and this should also call us to a deeper acceptance of the friends and ourselves and what our relationship should cost. Peter, on behalf of the others, speaks it out; “it is good for us to be here”. and even promises to build tents that will enhance the stay. God talks and touches such relationships when they are genuine. “A voice is heard from the cloud “This is my son, my beloved, in whom is all my delight: listen to Him”.

During this time of Lent, we are called upon to look into our inner selves and see if our friendship relationships are for selfish reasons. Are we truly friends or wolves in sheep skin? Are we ready to give out only when we are sure that it will flow in doubly from the other side?

A little Prayer.

Lord Jesus, for the times that I have failed to listen to your voice from within and without, forgive me. For the times that I have failed others who put their trust in me, forgive me. For the times that my faith has dwindled because of little experiences, support me and bring me to reassuring faith in your promises. Amen.

Have a great Week!
Bobe Talla Toh.