A couple of weeks ago we had the opportunity to hear about the Transfiguration of Jesus as Luke put it, "Jesus’ face was changed and his clothing became dazzling white." Thus we got to imagine Jesus in his glory and majesty. We are told that Moses and Elijah appeared to him. Moses representing the law of God, and Elijah the Prophets whose role it was to make all aware of the Word of God. Luke portrays Jesus in their midst thus showing Jesus to be ultimate fulfillment of the law of God and the Word of God. This fact is further emphasized when the voice of God speaks and says, "This is my beloved Son, listen to him."

        Listen to him because as Luke puts it by his exodus he will lead all to salvation. The first exodus had led the chosen people of God from slavery to freedom. For Luke, Jesus’ exodus, his passion, death, and resurrection will lead not only the chosen people but all to freedom. For Jesus’ exodus will overcome the power of evil, the power of sin, which keeps us from our God and leads us to salvation that is the ability to achieve life everlasting with our God in heaven.

        Now it is interesting to note that in Luke’s portrayal of the Transfiguration, the disciples, Peter, James, and John are at first asleep. Then they wake up to this wondrous sight. Once awake, Peter is so overcome with this experience that he wants to build three tents, he wants to stay there. He wants this experience to last. He doesn’t want it to end. He wants to live and experience always the glory of God. But it ends.

        Contrast that experience with the agony in the garden. Here Jesus is portrayed as suffering greatly. He must face his ultimate test by following the will of God. Death on the cross. His appearance is of a man in great agony, so much so, that his sweat becomes as blood. Here again, Peter, James, and John are asked to be with him, to pray with him, to watch with him. But what happens? Instead of being able to stay awake, they fall asleep. Then when the mob comes to arrest Jesus and lead him to his death. When Jesus needs them most, what happens? They run away and leave him to the ordeal of his suffering alone. They want nothing to do with this plight.

        How often we act the same way still. When everything is going along we have no problem with God. God is seen as a loving God and we like that. But when we are faced with pain, suffering or sacrifice how often we too want to run from God. We want to know why God is doing this to me. Why is he letting this happen to me? How can he let this happen to me and make me suffer so much? Yes, we want to experience the glory of God but not the suffering of God in our lives.

        In a quiet moment a man reflected on his way of life and decided that he could do better. "I’ll start going to church again it might help to relieve the emptiness and loneliness I’m feeling" he told himself. He visited church after church but none seemed satisfactory. Finally one Sunday morning he wandered into a church in which the sermon already was in progress. He listened carefully as the preacher spoke these words, "We have left undone those things we ought to have done, and we have done those things we ought not to have done." Whereupon the man sighed gratefully saying to himself, "At last I have found my kind of people." Yes, this man recognized that in order to be better he needed to recognize not only the good that he found in his life but he needed to recognize his sinfulness. And in doing that to recognize his need to seek repentance, to accept suffering and the sacrifice needed to be truly repentant.

        In our own life we need to recognize that we must stay with Jesus, not only when we experience his glory but also when we experience his suffering and sacrifice. For only then can we be called his disciples. As one author writes, "then Jesus detailed the cost of such glory for those who would follow him. Their way through life would be like his, marked by self denial and the cross. Theirs would be lives on the road seeking out the sinner, the sick, the lonely and marginalized. Theirs would be a mobile existence mapped out by the needs of others. They would not even have the dubious luxury of living out of a suitcase for Jesus would instruct his followers to travel lightly. Take nothing for the journey. No walking stick, no sack, no food, nor money. Not even a second tunic. Whereas other travelers through life might place great emphasis on creature comforts for themselves, those who travel with and for Jesus are to give themselves over to caring, comforting and serving others. This is the path that led Jesus to glory. This same path through selfless service and suffering will lead home to Jesus and to glory all who listen to him and believe in his power to save.

        St. Benedict also emphasized the need for this if we are going to experience also the glory of God in Chapter 7; The Fourth step of Humility: The Fourth step of Humility is that in this obedience under difficult, unfavorable or even unjust conditions his heart quietly embraces suffering and endures it without weakening or seeking escape. For scripture has it anyone who perseveres to the end will be saved. And again be brave of heart and rely on the Lord. In truth those who are patient amid hardships and unjust treatment are fulfilling the Lord’s command. When struck on one cheek then turn the other. When deprived of their coat, they offer their cloak also. When pressed into service for one mile they go two. With the apostle Paul they bear false brothers, endure persecution, and bless those who curse them. As we continue our Lenten journey let us remember and reflect on the fact that the suffering of Jesus led to his glory. His willingness to follow God’s will in all things led to the salvation of all. May we not run away from Jesus in difficult times. But be willing always to run to and with Jesus. So that we like him will always be willing to accept and desire to follow the will of God. And let us remember that our willingness to be repentant which will entail our own suffering and sacrifice will truly lead to our glory. It is the only way.