"It is Good to be Here...!"

Why was Christ transfigured on the mountain? (Question no. 93 – YOUCAT)

Today we celebrate the feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord, (Lk 9:28-36). The Father wanted to reveal the divine glory of His Son even during Jesus’ earthly life. It was also to help the disciples later to understand His death and resurrection.

At Mount Tabor, Jesus begins to shine (is “transfigured”) before the eyes of His disciples. Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here,” (Lk 9:33).

During the feast of Sts Anne and Joachim, thousands of pilgrim were at the Church of St Anne, Bukit Mertajam and I am sure that they too felt “It is good to be here” at the mountaintop of the Shrine of St Anne.

About 3.5 million youths gathered at the World Youth Day in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. They too felt the same, “It is good to be here” at the mountaintop near the Statue of Holy Redeemer.

It is good for us to be here – here where all things shine with divine radiance, where there is joy and gladness, where there is nothing in our hearts but peace, serenity and stillness; where God is seen.

Pope Francis told the young people during the WYD, “It is good to follow Jesus… Jesus’ message is good; it’s good to get out of ourselves, to the peripheries of the world and of existence to take Jesus!” Christ needs us. He needs our young faith and our young enthusiasm. Thus, we are not just to feel good remaining in His presence but we need to listen and to follow Him.

It is time to awaken confidence and hope that we will be transfigured and transformed through our attitudes for a tomorrow filled with hope and light. Let the light of Jesus transfigure and transform you.