Life's Highs and Lows
12/19/08 05:16 Filed in: Adversity
We've all had spiritual highs from time to time, though they are few and far between. For the most part, life is an uphill struggle. But that’s how it should be. We cannot live in the rarified atmosphere of a mountaintop. We cannot pitch our tents at the peak as Peter wanted to do. Things don't grow on the lofty summits. They grow in the fertile valleys and plains and in the shadow lands.
“And there came a cloud overshadowing them: and there came a voice out of the cloud, This is my beloved Son: hear ye him.” (Mark 9: 22-13)
There is nothing like the exhilarating experience of standing on a mountain peak and taking in a panoramic view that stretches as far as the eye can see. Looking down on birds in flight, you feel as though you're on top of the world. And you are! The air is so crisp and clear it takes your breath away, the silence so profound you can hear snowflakes fall. You can’t help marveling at the majesty of creation as you sense the closeness of God.
We all seek mountaintop experiences. In fact, the sporting goods store near our home has an artificial rock wall where customers can try their skill at mountain climbing. However, few people make it to the top.
In today's Gospel Peter, James and John make it all the way to the top. They have a mountaintop spiritual experience when they witness Jesus transfigured before their eyes. From out of a cloud, they hear the voice of God say, "This is my beloved Son. Hear ye Him."
“Hear ye Him” - - the most important lesson of of this extraordinary event is the necessity of listening to Jesus. That is the essence of the peak experience we call a spiritual high.
When all our struggles leave us winded, gasping for air and unable to speak, we are at long last able to stop and listen to the voice of God breaking through the clouds of adversity.
We've all had spiritual highs from time to time, though they are few and far between. For the most part, life is an uphill struggle. But that’s how it should be. We cannot live in the rarified atmosphere of a mountaintop. We cannot pitch our tents at the peak as Peter wanted to do. Things don't grow on the lofty summits. They grow in the fertile valleys and plains and in the shadow lands. They grow in parched and rocky soil. They grow amid the weeds. Despite the storms and droughts, they grow. That's where our spiritual lives must also bear fruit -- in the lowlands of life.
As the three apostles, descended the mountain, eager to share what they had witnessed, Luke says they were warned not to tell anyone. Telling the others might have sounded boastful and could have sparked jealousy and resentment. It could have distracted from the real significance of the event.
The transfiguration had been a special grace meant to strengthen the three men for the leadership roles they would soon assume. Each of the other apostles would also receive the grace they needed for their special role in the Church. But, first, the crucifixion had to take their breath away and leave them speechless, unable to do anything but listen. They had to hear what the Holy Spirit wanted to say about overcoming the misfortunes that would befall them.
Sometimes, in the midst of adversity, the best thing to do is sit and listen to what God is trying to tell us. What does He want us to learn from this experience? How does He want us to respond?
There is nothing like the exhilarating experience of standing on a mountain peak and taking in a panoramic view that stretches as far as the eye can see. Looking down on birds in flight, you feel as though you're on top of the world. And you are! The air is so crisp and clear it takes your breath away, the silence so profound you can hear snowflakes fall. You can’t help marveling at the majesty of creation as you sense the closeness of God.
We all seek mountaintop experiences. In fact, the sporting goods store near our home has an artificial rock wall where customers can try their skill at mountain climbing. However, few people make it to the top.
In today's Gospel Peter, James and John make it all the way to the top. They have a mountaintop spiritual experience when they witness Jesus transfigured before their eyes. From out of a cloud, they hear the voice of God say, "This is my beloved Son. Hear ye Him."
“Hear ye Him” - - the most important lesson of of this extraordinary event is the necessity of listening to Jesus. That is the essence of the peak experience we call a spiritual high.
When all our struggles leave us winded, gasping for air and unable to speak, we are at long last able to stop and listen to the voice of God breaking through the clouds of adversity.
We've all had spiritual highs from time to time, though they are few and far between. For the most part, life is an uphill struggle. But that’s how it should be. We cannot live in the rarified atmosphere of a mountaintop. We cannot pitch our tents at the peak as Peter wanted to do. Things don't grow on the lofty summits. They grow in the fertile valleys and plains and in the shadow lands. They grow in parched and rocky soil. They grow amid the weeds. Despite the storms and droughts, they grow. That's where our spiritual lives must also bear fruit -- in the lowlands of life.
As the three apostles, descended the mountain, eager to share what they had witnessed, Luke says they were warned not to tell anyone. Telling the others might have sounded boastful and could have sparked jealousy and resentment. It could have distracted from the real significance of the event.
The transfiguration had been a special grace meant to strengthen the three men for the leadership roles they would soon assume. Each of the other apostles would also receive the grace they needed for their special role in the Church. But, first, the crucifixion had to take their breath away and leave them speechless, unable to do anything but listen. They had to hear what the Holy Spirit wanted to say about overcoming the misfortunes that would befall them.
Sometimes, in the midst of adversity, the best thing to do is sit and listen to what God is trying to tell us. What does He want us to learn from this experience? How does He want us to respond?
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