A homily from the Feast of the Transfiguration based on Matthew 17:1-9 on the occasion of a Teen ACTS retreat homecoming Mass.
These readings are available at the USCCB website.
This homily was delivered at the homecoming Mass which ended St. Ann Parish, Midland Texas, 2023 Teen ACTS Retreat. The retreat provided a range of experiences to assist the retreatants in coming face to face with the heart of the Church even as their love for Christ deepens. The beginning of the homecoming Mass marks the end of the retreat and the beginning of integrating the retreat experience into everyday life.
As you already know, this is the homecoming Mass for our teens. Many, if not all of them have had a mountaintop experience. This morning’s gospel tells of another mountaintop experience. What is has to say fits perfectly with what our teens have just experienced, but is not just for you. Today’s gospel has a lot tell all of us, even those of us who spend the weekend doing errands and housework and yardwork.
Jesus became white as light. Was he just showing off? No. Not at all. If anything, he became more of who he really is in the moment of transfiguration, a power and a beauty that we humans can barely stand to behold.
We all have those moments, moments when we are given the gift of seeing the Lord a little more like he really is. We experience his love a little more directly, a little more deeply. Maybe the Lord revealed himself to you through a friend or family member, through a random encounter, through the beauty of nature, even through the retreat experience. For those of us in West Texas, these mountaintop experiences do not occur on a mountain. They occur wherever we are whenever the Holy Spirit speaks to us.
In our gospel story, Peter reacts by offering to stay a while. “Let’s build three tents!”
There is absolutely nothing wrong with that thought. He was in a beautiful place, even if he found it a little scary. After all, standing directly in the presence of the glory of God can be a bit overwhelming.
Peter offers to build three tents, and as fast as everything started the vision is ended. Peter now stands with the memory of the event but it is time for him to move on. Peter, James, John, and Jesus head down the mountain. They head back the real world. They head back to all the troubles that they left behind. Their day-to-day was hard; there were real crosses and real crucifixions just ahead.
And they continued to follow Jesus as he led them down the mountain. They continued to believe and to follow even in those times when their mountaintop experience was simply a memory.
And so it is with each of us. You who are just back from retreat who are thrilled about all you experienced. You who are back from retreat and wondering what all that was about. You who are here just for Sunday Mass to meet your Sunday obligation and grow just a little closer to Jesus.
The transfiguration gave the apostles hope in the difficult days that followed. As so it does for each of us who recall it today at Mass.[1] The Transfiguration shows the glory for which we are all destined – Peter, James, John, those of us just back from retreat and those of us who will never make a retreat.[2]
Whoever you are, and whatever your situation, however joyful or however sorrowful, you are called to recall the mountaintop and follow our Lord where he leads. Strengthened by our Lord in the Eucharist we are all able to do that and to do it well.
[1] cf John Chrysostom, “Homilies of St. John Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople on the Gospel according to St. Matthew,” in Saint Chrysostom: Homilies on the Gospel of Saint Matthew, ed. Philip Schaff, trans. George Prevost and M. B. Riddle, vol. 10, A Select Library of the Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers of the Christian Church, First Series (New York: Christian Literature Company, 1888), 346 (Homily LVI.3).
[2] cf Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica, trans. Fathers of the English Dominican Province (London: Burns Oates & Washbourne, n.d.) III q. 45. a.1 resp.