This week in our school community: 14 March 2025

Jesus took with him Peter and John and James and went up the mountain to pray...

 

  

This weekend the Gospel presented to us is of The Transfiguration, one of the most fascinating and dramatic occurrences in the ministry of Jesus.  We hear so many times in the Gospels of Jesus withdrawing to a quiet place to pray (Mk 1:35, Lk 5:15), more often than not by a lake or up a mountain (Lk 6:12).  In this passage Jesus goes up a mountain for the most extraordinary encounter with the prophets Moses and Elijah, taking three of the disciples with him, “Jesus took with him Peter and John and James and went up the mountain to pray. As he prayed, the aspect of his face was changed and his clothing became brilliant as lightning. Suddenly there were two men there talking to him; they were Moses and Elijah appearing in glory.” (Lk 9:28-29).

At other points in scripture we hear Jesus rebuking Peter “Get behind me Satan.” (Mt 16:32) and “You of little faith.” (Mt 14:31).  In this Transfiguration Gospel Peter is somewhat put in his place again when he tries to comprehend what he sees before him, offering to “make three tents, one for Jesus, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” (Lk 9:33).  Between Luke, Matthew and Mark’s version of events, it is suggested that the disciples were filled with both terror and excitement.  Fr Denis McBride C.Ss.R. says that “Peter makes a suggestion that echoes down history, if in doubt, build! But the focus is not on architectural posterity, but on who Jesus is?”  It is the second time (after his baptism) we hear the voice of God proclaim, “This is my son the beloved, listen to Him”. 

Fr Richard Rohr likes to say that our tendency is to see things, not as they are, but as we are. The point he makes is that many things in our lives prevent us from seeing what really is.  Each week when I sit and watch the weekend’s football highlights on Match Of The Day, there is a repetitive theme that runs through each game every week.  A big decision is made that goes for or against a team, one manager or team defends the decision or feigns blindness at that precise point of the game, and the other manager or team is incensed by the decision and have a completely counter opinion.  Pundits discuss the incident at length, VAR offers an ‘accurate assessment’ yet subjectivity reigns supreme. 

Something as trivial and inconsequential (in the grand scheme of the world) as the aforementioned demonstrates perfectly the capacity of humanity to view reality through their own lens.  Our reality is shaped by many factors: our upbringing and the ways we are socialised into adulthood, our education, our social and community networks, our physiology and genetics, our faith. All kinds of influences affect how we see.  Thus, the truism: We see as we are, rather than what really is. In his wonderful piece on love in his first letter to the Corinthians Paul makes the point that we all see a “poor reflection as in a mirror.” However,  we will see truth and reality more clearly if we see through the lens of Jesus.

Everything in the Gospel is focused on Jesus. Paul says that the more we are able to see the glory of the Lord reflected in the image of Christ, the more we will be transformed into that same image as we progress from one degree of glory to another. I would like to suggest today three areas where we have a great need to see more clearly. I would also suggest that if we could see through the lens of Jesus we could not only see more clearly, we could be transformed through our seeing.

In v. 32 Luke says that Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep. That is where so many of us are today. We may get weighed down in our narrow and preferential understandings of God. We may get weighed down in our own trials and sufferings. We get weighed down in our failures and sins. Is there hope for us? Yes, this is the great grace of Lent and why Pope Francis wants us to focus on hope both for the Lenten journey and our jubilee year. Luke tells us that while the disciples were weighed down with sleep, they did not give in. They stayed awake, and behold says Luke, “they saw his glory.”.  May we pray that our Lenten observances allow us to be pilgrims that realise even more the importance of Jesus in our world and allow us to see and reflect his glory.  

Year 9 Kintbury Retreat (24-27 April) – we still have a few spaces left

Contact Mr Robinson  at robinsonm@st-gregorys.org.uk if you would like a space.  Kintbury is a huge Lasallian manor house in the middle of the Berkshire countryside, giving young people the opportunity to spend a few days led by international gap year volunteers away from the pressures of life.  Several schools come together for four days of fun, friendship and faith – a packed timetable of activities, reflection, outdoor sport and making lifelong friendships.  www.thekintburyexperience.com  / @thekintburyexperience on Instagram, X and Facebook. 

Mr Robinson

Lay Chaplain