Mosaic of the Transfiguration
Mt. Tabor, Galilee
Today was our last morning in Nazareth, a village where Jesus spent the first thirty years of His life. While here, we visited the Church of the Annunciation, a synagogue where Jesus began his preaching, and a typical cave dwelling (which gave us a good idea of the home of the Holy Family). But since Jesus traveled beyond Nazareth, we too traveled onward to Mt. Tabor.
After a forty-five minute bus ride, we arrived at the base of Mt. Tabor. The mountain itself towers above the landscape at an estimated, 1,500 feet above sea level. Perhaps its prominence contributes to the reason it has been considered a holy place since before the time of Christ. In the days of the Old Testament it was revered as a place of worship and sacrifice.
Undoubtedly, the most important event that took place here for Christians was the Transfiguration. Here, Jesus manifested His divinity to the Apostles. “While Jesus was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud cast a shadow over [the disciples]- then from the cloud came a voice that said, ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him’” (Mt 17:5).
Today, a beautiful Church stands atop Mt. Tabor. Inside, a magnificent mosaic depicting the Transfiguration hints at what this event may have looked like. We could not help but imagine what it must have been like to have witnessed this incredible event.
In a reflection given by a classmate, he admitted a great desire to actually have been able to see these events with his own eyes. Now, though, he could only see the church, built on the holy site or a grotto which commemorates the holy space.
‘If only God would give me a moment of prayer to have experienced what Peter, James, and John experienced.’
Rather than focusing on what he wasn’t seeing, our classmate found himself simply thanking Jesus for revealing Himself so many years ago. We could not help but agree. This recognition has given us renewed focus as to why we are making this pilgrimage: to meditate over Jesus’ life in the Bible and just say thanks to God. Feel free to join us in our prayer of praise:
Lord, although we do not see with our own eyes your Heavenly angels or hear your voice breaking through the Heavens, we come here to say thank you. Thank you for your love. Thank you for your mercy. The further we fell into sin, the further you came with mercy to rescue us. As we receive you in the Eucharistic bread and wine, we say Thank you, Jesus, for loving us. Amen.