(bernardinodandrade@gmail.com)
One of the best definitions that I have ever heard about what the Bible is, came from Sandy (not her true name). Sandy is a woman without any academic studies who told me one day: «The Bible is a parable of our lives». Then she explained that when she opens the Bible it is like seeing herself in a mirror. She sees what is happening, or should happen in her life.
Today, the second Sunday of Lent, the Church offers us the reading of the Gospel of Mark (Mk: 9, 2-10) about the Transfiguration. «Jesus took, with him Peter, James and John and led them up a high mountain where they could be alone by themselves. «There in their presence He was transfigured». Mark explains, but even after his explanation, I don’t think that any of us can grasp even a little bit of what that mountain top experience was.
It is not difficult to express ideas but it is very difficult to explain experiences. Very often when couples bring their babies for Baptism, holding them in their arms, and «squeezing» them against their chest or their cheeks I ask them: «What do you feel when you are holding your baby like that?» the answer is: «hum… hum… hum… Father I can’t explain» and… that’s the end, and usually ends with a gentle kiss. What we know is that Peter, James and John were so intimately absorbed in that profound and touching experience that made Peter say: «Rabi, it is wonderful for us to be here; so let us make three tents, one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah». And then Mark adds: «he did not know what to say… and there came a voice from the cloud: «This is my Son, the Beloved, listen to Him». But, later, Mark adds the hard part. «They came down from the mountain». The experience had ended.
But one thing we know. We know that Jesus came down with them.
I really wanted to see their faces when they were contemplating the transfiguration of Jesus and also when they were coming down from the mountain to the valley. Were they happy? Were they talking with one another and with Jesus? Were they somber and depressed? I don’t know. What I know is that they wanted that experience to last forever. But there is also a very important thing that I know: Jesus was coming down with them. And I know that the Jesus of the mountain was the same Jesus of the valley.
Yes! I agree with Sandy. The Bible is a parable of our lives. We all have mountain-top experiences, but on the other hand we all have valley experiences. We have all had moments that we didn’t want to end. What we wanted was to build tents and stay there forever. But life doesn’t work like that. Life works with mountains and valleys. However, we must remember that the Jesus of the mountain is the Jesus of the valley.
Especially during this Lenten season, I would like to invite couples, families and groups to sit down and make a list of those moments we have had in our lives that we didn’t want to end. We also can do that at the personal level. Maybe we can write a list of the main ones. And then, when life goes wrong and we are facing troubles and dark moments in our relationships, we can talk about that with one another and thank God for those moments. I don’t have any doubts that if we try to focus on our mountain top experiences, also at a personal level, we are going to improve our mental health, especially depressions, and our relationships will be greatly improved.
Love & Peace
Fr. Bernardino Andrade
28/02/2021