Throughout history, mountains have held an important place in religion. Many monasteries are built on mountains and hills – from Monte Cassino, the first Benedictine monastery and the first location that St Benedict started an abbey in Subiaco – And not just Italy – for there is Mont St Macheal off the coast of France, Mount Athos in Greece and Skellig Michael off the coast of Ireland. Why a mountain (sometimes a glorified hill called a mountain)? For it is up higher – it is visible to all around– looking up to the Glory of God and showing that Glory to all around – on a mountain, symbolically higher the Glory of God can be displayed.
This tradition finds roots throughout scripture – For so often the Glory of God is shown forth on a mountain - It was on Mount Sinai that Moses received the 10 commandments. Elijah was on the high ridge of Mount Carmel when he heard God in the still, small voice. Turning to the New Testament, Jesus gives his great sermon on interpreting the law on a mountain in the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus’ ascension into heaven was from the Mount of Olives. Places where God’s Glory is seen - there on the mountain.
And so, preparing for His passion, having just predicted His death – right before turning to Jerusalem, Jesus goes up Mount Tabor with Peter, James, and John – and there is His Glory is shown forth, his divinity, unmistakable as He is shown as white – meeting and discussing with Moses and Elijah. When we think of the great mountain top experience – this is what we have in mind – when we go on pilgrimage or on retreat looking for God – this is what we have in mind - seeing and being overwhelmed by the Glory of God - In our mural here in the Church we can see one artist attempt capture just a bit of what it would have been like. – the Glory overwhelming. Peter, James, and John fall over in awe without words, or in Peters case, not very good words.
But the transfiguration is not the end – it points to somewhere else – for Christ is talking to Moses and Elijah – Moses, the giver of the Law, Elijah, a mighty prophet – talking with Christ about the fulfillment of the law and the prophets – about a greater glory that would come on another mountain in Jerusalem – looking toward Mount Calvary – another mountain (at least in name, it was more of a hill), this one of his crucifixion.
For we think of Glory like the transfiguration – yet there is something paradoxical about Glory – for sometimes the greater Glory is in the midst of evil, amid suffering and violence. For we talk about the crown of martyrdom – that, even as death and violence are evil – somehow there is an honor and Glory to martyrdom – Holding firm to the faith and proclaiming it - even to the cost of one’s own life – a glory so clear that often in icons and art of the martyrs, the means of their death is proudly displayed. Icons of John the Baptist often show two heads – one head on his shoulders, but also his head on a platter, giving his life for truth. In our stained glass windows in this Church, we see this – for St Paul is holding a sword – for the Roman Empire beheaded him – and St Cathrine of Alexandra for they tried to kill her on a spiked wheel, which broke at her touch, and then she was beheaded by a sword. And St Cecilia, while not holding the means of her martyrdom, she is holding the palm of martyrdom – showing that she died for Christ.
The Martyrs are following an example – that of Christ on Calvary – for the Glory shown forth on Mount Tabor points forward towards Calvary – towards his crucifixion and death – a mountain that does not look very glorious – It is more often seen as a scandal than Glory – For there are not three tents as proposed by Peter, but three crosses. But it there on Calvary that he defeats sin and death – pulling to himself – a glory revealed by how He still has His five wounds after his resurrection – A glory and victory shown forth in his resurrection and reaching its fulfillment with his ascension on the Mount of Olives, another mountain six weeks later.
We pray, go on retreat, go on pilgrimage, or, closer to home, with less time and expense required, participate in devotions around the parish – devotions including Eucharistic Adoration – Indeed, we have the forty hours devotion starting today (tomorrow) – we travel to the mountain looking for that mountain top experience – sometimes a literal mountain, other times a metaphorical one - we may think of the transfiguration – that overwhelming feeling of God’s presence and Glory – but there is also Mount Calvary – and in both the Glory of God is present – can we accept both, knowing that they go together, Mount Tabor and the Transfiguration – Mount Calvary and the Crucifixion. One cannot have one without the other. Something to remember throughout Lent, but also the entirety of the spiritual life.