Reflection for Vigil of the Second Sunday of Lent 2010
27 February, 2010

by Suzanne Fitzmaurice, OSB

In tonight’s Gospel we hear how Jesus took Peter, John and James and went up the mountain to pray. As I heard these words, the first image that came to mind was the summer I went hiking with a couple of people from Omaha. Rita was my friend and mentor and Fr. Jim was a Benedictine from Mount Michael. The three of us drove across the country to Glacier National Park where we were going to hike up over the glacier point. As we worked our way up the mountain, I quickly began to realize why I had never spent any time hiking and every hour or so I suggested that we stop and pray one of those prayers that Fr. Jim was forever making us pray on the trip just so I could rest. (This trip was also my introduction to Liturgy of the Hours.)

After hiking all day, we finally got to the top of the pass. I remember how truly exhausted I was. I was freezing, I couldn’t breathe, and every muscle I had was either throbbing in pain or completely refusing to work at all. All I could focus on was that I wanted to curl up in a little ball and sleep for about a month. I had done all I could to get to the top and I had nothing left to give.

As I lay there completely exhausted, trying to breathe, I became aware of Fr. Jim and Rita starting to sing the Psalms. From somewhere deep inside, I began to feel something stirring. I managed slowly to sit up and things began to change. For the first time, I noticed the incredible glacier lake that was sitting in front of us. I felt the calm of the silence of the snow covered field. I was amazed that the words of the psalm seemed to be designed specifically for that moment and I felt blessed to be at this place with these two great friends. I knew that because of this day I would be changed.

Now I have never been to the Holy Land, but from what I have read, unlike me, the disciples did a considerable amount of walking. They were use to long walks and the effort it took to travel up into the mountains. Yet upon arriving at their destination with Jesus, they were truly exhausted and all they could think of was sleep. Why were they so tired? Well like so many of us, the disciples had been very busy. They were spending all their time going from place to place, taking care of the people’s needs, learning all Christ was trying to teach them, debating about all they had just learned, caring for each other, and traveling up the mountain. Peter, James and John were going full force and giving their all to do what was important and required of them. They were exhausted.

Sound like anyone you know? How often do we find ourselves caught up in a cycle of trying to do so many things that when we finally get a minute to stop, we are so exhausted that all we want to do is sleep? How often do we find our days filled with doing all of those important things that just can’t wait, fitting in all those extra things that are expected of us and preparing for all those things that we will face tomorrow? How often, like the apostles, do we find ourselves exhausted at the end of the day?

But suddenly things changed! The disciples became fully awake and they began to realize that something big was going on. As they turned to look at where Jesus was praying, he suddenly changed in appearance and became dazzling white. On top of that he was joined by Moses and Elijah and the three of them appeared deep in conversation. Right before their eyes, the disciples were being blessed with a glimpse of the glory of God. They saw what the future could hold and the world they once knew was changed. “This is my chosen Son; listen to him.”

What Peter, James and John learned that day was that it wasn’t about climbing mountains and staying there. It wasn’t about building tents to honor Moses and Elijah. It wasn’t about doing what they thought was required of them and it certainly wasn’t about working themselves to a point of exhaustion.

What they realized, and what I too learned that day in the mountains, is something that we are all reminded of this Lent. It is about being fully present in every moment that we are blessed with. It is about taking the opportunity every day to spend some quality time in prayer. It is about being with those people who energize us as we minister to others. It is about opening ourselves up to those surprise moments of wonder and awe. But most importantly, it is about listening. Taking the time to stop, be still, regain a sense of balance in life, listen, and be changed.

© 2010 Benedictine Sisters of Mount St. Scholastica
Atchison, Kansas