Listen to him!” ~ Matthew 17:6
Peter,
James and John journey to the mountain top with Christ. Christ meets
Moses (the Law) and Elijah (the Prophets) representing how Christ is the
fulfillment of both. His clothing becomes radiant and God instructs the
disciples to “listen to Him”. This miracle is unique in that it happens
“to Jesus” rather than Jesus performing it on someone else or something
else. St. Thomas Aquinas called it the greatest miracle.
Peter
wants to memorialize this great moment by erecting tents or tabernacles
for Jesus, Moses and Elijah. Most of us would want to do the same. We
want to capture those great moments of our lives and hold them in
suspension. We want to relive the success over and over. Such events are
memorialized by plaques, statues or special days set aside for their
celebration and remembrance.
Later
in the Gospel Peter, James and John will again be Jesus’ sole
companions. They accompany him to pray in the Garden of Gethsemane. This
time they can’t even stay awake for an hour nor do they want to
remember this horrific night.
Life
is not comprised of a few brief special moments. It is comprised of all
our moments. Jesus is always with us. He is with us whether we are on
top of the world or have been kicked to the curb.
All
moments are special in their own way provided we are “present” to the
moment and acknowledge Christ is there with us. “Even a setback can be a
setup for a comeback” (Jonathon Sprinkles). Stewards acknowledge all
moments as precious and treat them with the respect which is due secure
in the knowledge Christ is there as well.
© 2011 James E. Carper. All rights reserved.
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