The Transfiguration of Our Lord | iPray with the Gospel
Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. And as he was praying, the appearance of his countenance was altered, and his raiment became dazzling white. And behold, two men talked with him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure, which he was to accomplish at Jerusalem. Now Peter and those who were with him were heavy with sleep, and when they wakened they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. And as the men were parting from him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is well that we are here”.
Luke 9:28b-36
On Mount Tabor, Peter, James, and John saw Jesus as they had never seen Him before. They were awe-inspired by this vision, and surely if they had had an iPhone there, they would have taken several selfies to put on Facebook with the title “Awesome.” They wouldn’t want to forget Jesus as radiant as He was then. So much so that Peter, filled with consolation, said, “Lord, it is well that we are here.” Those same three Apostles also saw Jesus in Gethsemane, but in a very different fashion. Jesus was suffering indescribable moral pain, sweating blood as He thought about His Passion. He was the same Jesus, but not as they would love to remember Him. On Mount Tabor they didn’t want to leave. In the Garden of Gethsemane they didn’t want to stay. So when Jesus was arrested, they all fled.
Friends are meant to be friends always, for better or for worse. You, Lord, are also searching for friends who will stick with you through thick and thin; friends who are reliable, constant; friends who would go with You to Mount Calvary as well as to Mount Tabor; friends, Lord, that You can count on whether it’s sunny or rainy, cold or hot, whether they are tired or energized.
We all have ups and downs. We have days when we find it easy to pray and others when it is a struggle; days when everything seems tiresome, when we don’t feel like praying, when we don’t want to go to Mass or say the Rosary. Mary, will you teach me to understand that “it is well” for me to be with Jesus anywhere, anytime, no matter what? Will you help me to be constant in accompanying Him with my prayer even when it becomes harder?
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Rev. George Boronat
Rev. George Boronat M.D. S.T.D is a Catholic priest from the Prelature of Opus Dei, working in the Archdiocese of Southwark in London. He is the Chaplain of The Cedars Independent School in Croydon, and also works as Chaplain of Kelston Club & Study Centre (Balham) and Oakwood Independent School (Purley). He has developed his pastoral ministry mainly with young people and is the author of iPray with the Gospel: Resources to Help Young People Pray.
