AUDIO MEDITATION:

Titian, or Tiziano Vecelli (Italian, 1490-1576), Transfiguration. Public domain.

FULL TEXT: 

At the same time that Peter wants to build three tents to remain in this sacred moment, the Gospel tells us that “he hardly knew what to say, they were so terrified.” The encounter with the divinity of Christ is other-worldly and overwhelms the disciples—it inspired in them fear and wonder.

Titian depicts this scene when heaven broke through into our world for a moment. The earthly reality is turned upside down—the disciples are literally bowled over by this experience.

God’s grace and mercy can overwhelm us, too. As much as we long for it, we also tremble before such a profound love. Lent is a time to build the capacity within ourselves to embrace this love more fully. How might we keep this vision of heaven before us as we journey towards Easter?