First reading: Gen. 15:5–12,17–18

The Lord God took Abram outside and said, “Look up at the sky and count the stars, if you can. Just so,” he added, “shall your descendants be.” Abram put his faith in the LORD, who credited it to him as an act of righteousness.

He then said to him, “I am the LORD who brought you from Ur of the Chaldeans to give you this land as a possession.” “O Lord GOD,” he asked, “how am I to know that I shall possess it?” He answered him, “Bring me a three-year-old heifer, a three-year-old she-goat, a three-year-old ram, a turtledove, and a young pigeon.” Abram brought him all these, split them in two, and placed each half opposite the other; but the birds he did not cut up. Birds of prey swooped down on the carcasses, but Abram stayed with them. As the sun was about to set, a trance fell upon Abram, and a deep, terrifying darkness enveloped him.

When the sun had set and it was dark, there appeared a smoking fire pot and a flaming torch, which passed between those pieces. It was on that occasion that the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying: “To your descendants I give this land, from the Wadi of Egypt to the Great River, the Euphrates.”

Second reading: Phil. 3:17–4:1

Join with others in being imitators of me, brothers and sisters, and observe those who thus conduct themselves according to the model you have in us. For many, as I have often told you and now tell you even in tears, conduct themselves as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction. Their God is their stomach; their glory is in their “shame.” Their minds are occupied with earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we also await a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. He will change our lowly body to conform with his glorified body by the power that enables him also to bring all things into subjection to himself.

Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, in this way stand firm in the Lord.

Gospel: Lk. 9:28b–36

Jesus took Peter, John, and James and went up the mountain to pray. While he was praying his face changed in appearance and his clothing became dazzling white. And behold, two men were conversing with him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his exodus that he was going to accomplish in Jerusalem.

Peter and his companions had been overcome by sleep, but becoming fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. As they were about to part from him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good that we are here; let us make three tents, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” But he did not know what he was saying.

While he was still speaking, a cloud came and cast a shadow over them, and they became frightened when they entered the cloud. Then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my chosen Son; listen to him.” After the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. They fell silent and did not at that time tell anyone what they had seen.

In other words

by Fr. Gil Alejandria, SVD (Catholic Trade Manila)

In 2010, I was privileged to join a pilgrimage group of Fr. Jerry Orbos, SVD, my ordination classmate. One of the places we visited was the mountain where the Transfiguration happened. On top of the mountain there is an impressive view of the land below. One can say, “It is good to be here…”

The mountain top experience of the apostles accorded them a preview of the glorified Jesus. It was a confirmation of their belief in him as the Son of God. This experience would later be the source of their strength and perseverance especially when they would see Jesus being tortured, crucified, and dying on the cross.

The mountain top experience was a revelation and eye-opener for the apostles. It was their “game-changer,” the moment when all doubts and fears would vanish. It would cement their mission to proclaim the Good News to all people.

In our life as Christians, we also need our own “mountain top experience.” It may not be as spectacular as the Transfiguration. It does not need also to happen literally on top of a mountain.

What is important is that we experience a moment (or several experiences) in which we suddenly find clarity and direction in our spiritual life and in our relationship with God. Some may find it in moments of deep communion with God during prayer and meditation. Some may find it in meaningful encounters with people of faith who inspire others with their good deeds.

We may not be aware that sometimes, for some people, we are their “mountain top experience” because we have brought enlightenment or inspiration through our words or actions.