From The Bishop

We often associate ‘the desert/wilderness’ with the season of Lent. The Gospel for the Second Sunday of Lent reminds us that there is also the ‘mountain top’. In the Gospel of St. Mark we are presented with the account of the Transfiguration. Jesus brought Peter, James and John to the top of a high mountain where He was transfigured before them. For a brief moment, they were able to behold the glorified Christ. This was so beautiful and meaningful that Peter said, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here.” What did they see that was so compelling? In the Second Reading, St. Paul reminds us that nothing can separate us from the love of God. Were those disciples able to gaze upon love incarnate? Was the glory of Divine Love revealed to them? During Lent we should take every opportunity to join with Jesus in prayer and meditation so that we can spiritually ascend the mountain. Here we will experience a ‘configuration’ rather than a ‘transfiguration’. The more we are in the presence of Divine Love, the more we will be configured to that love; we will become more like Christ.