OH FOR A LITTLE light! (Mark 9:2-10)
We seem to hear Peter demanding in his heart: Why so much radiance, Lord? Why dazzle us with all this light when it will come to an end? How can we bear the burden of darkness after experiencing the caressing light of your transfiguring beauty? After this flood of light, how can we fall in love anew with human nature? So let’s try to cling to that radiance, to hold back the darkness even to a tiny degree.
Thus he suggests building three tents in an attempt to stave off the darkness even a little, like a child’s hands closing in the water in an effort to grasp the whole sea. But another “tent” is already in the making–a cloud that descends from heaven and contains the same light. The womb of God the Father envelops all things like a cloud. His voice invites those viewing the event to listen to his Son. Perhaps Peter is now beginning to understand and perhaps we are too. The transfiguration is not an anticipation of the future but a divine womb descending from heaven to encompass us.
Le As they were coming down from the mountain…. The darkness is drawing closer; the light is receding, and Jesus asks the group to keep silent about what happened. His disciples do not understand. Perhaps in a second moment they will comprehend that what they experienced was a particular point of view–one that will give them insight into the actions of the historical Jesus. He passed among
the people, touching them, bringing them life and light.
