We are summoned to review our lives. The blessed ashes on our forehead reminded us, and all who saw us, that we are sinners and so soon to die. Lent means facing reality in fullness. All masks are cast aside. We are challenged on the use of every talent and of the elusive gift of time. Clutter and noise and confusion may blind us to the emptiness of our days. A crowded schedule may conceal a heart and mind in disarray and a futility with shifting, worthless goals. In the sober cleansing days of Lent, Quo Vadis? echoes in the air. Whither, pilgrim? Are we as devoid of answer as was the false and fickle Pilate who asked "what is truth?" and failed to await the saving word of the only one who could give answer. Now we search for meaning as we seek healing for our broken lives.
We must breathe. So too we must pray. Christ leads us to the heights, to a purer air, to be alone with Him. We need not travel far. We journey not with steps of weary feet but with aspirations of mind and heart made new. Where we stand can be holy ground. God's burning bush is never far away. On the lofty mountain Peter, James and John were allowed to glimpse in Christ the radiance that would be His resurrection glory. The eternal father gave validation to the claims of Jesus and showed to us the only way to life. "Listen to Him!" We come to realise that it is good for us to be in the company of Christ with prayer, with our gospel reflection, and with the healing Eucharist. As we journey towards Easter we meet Moses and Elijah and other teachers of enduring wisdom. We build tents of quiet and peace to which we can retreat to soothe our fevered spirit. With all paralysing fears removed we gain new courage and can return to the daily task to give genuine witness and to bring hope and vision to all whose lives we touch. We accept that suffering and failure and darkness are part of our pilgrim journey.
The grace filled light and the joy of the tabor glory did not exempt the apostles from the sorrow of Gethsemane and Christ's sweat of blood under the olive trees beneath the paschal moon.
St Paul assures us that God will transfigure us by a complete change of our mind. All of us will reflect the splendour of the Lord and this will transform us into His likeness in an ever growing degree of glory. It is never safe for us to go out into the busy world of people and of work until we have spent time alone with Christ on our mountain of prayer. Only when He has lightened our darkness dare we venture forth amid the encircling gloom to be to others a source of comfort and of certain worth. Our Lenten prayer will make us ready.
The luminous moments alone with Christ will not consist of transient emotion. We will share the healed experience of Peter who, so many years later could joyfully recall that holy day.
This is my dear son with whom I am well pleased. We ourselves heard this voice coming from heaven when we were with him on the holy mountain
You will do well to pay attention to it because it is like a lamp shining in a dark place until the day dawns and the light of the morning star shines in your hearts.