Mount Tabor

• At the memory of the Transfiguration today, I asked Fr. Raymond of his visit to Mount Tabor. He recalled that as the Pilgrims from Edinburgh (2006) arrived at the top of the Mount of Tabor they were amused to see a large group of young soldiers sprawled on the ground. They were exhausted from the military exercise of walking/running the height of the Mountain.
  
  
• A FMM Sister remembers that she had the benefit of spending a week's Retreat at the Carmelite Convent on Mount Tabor.
  
  
• Listening to the Gospel of the Transfiguration may prompt less exalted reminiscences. 2003, I kept a Journal on the Holy Places. After we desended from Tabor my Journal was missing. The people on the coach were full of concern and they were kind enough to have me taxied back up Tabor. By good fortune, the missing book was found in the Carmelite Shop.

• 2004. Two brothers, N & D, in front of Basilica.
  
  
• In the Crytpt are represented the symbols of the Transfiguration of Christ: in his birth, in the Eucharist, in his Deat and Resurrection.

SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT Gospel: Luke 9:28b-36 Year C Jesus took with him Peter and John and James and went up the mountain to pray. As he prayed, the aspect of his face was changed and his clothing became brilliant as lightning. Suddenly there were two men there talking to him; they were Moses and Elijah appearing in glory, and they were speaking of his passing which he was to accomplish in Jerusalem . Peter and his companions were heavy with sleep, but they kept awake and saw his glory and the two men standing with him. As these were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, "Master, it is wonderful for us to be here; so let us make three tents, one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah." - He did not know what he was saying. As he spoke, a cloud came and covered them with shadow; and when they went into the cloud the disciples were afraid. And a voice came from the cloud saying, "This is my Son, the Chosen One. Listen to him." And after the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. The disciples kept silence and, at that time, told no one what they had seen. From a homily by Saint Cyril of Alexandria (Hom. 9 in transfiguratione Domini: PG 77, 1011-1014) This sermon is one of a series of homilies on Saint Luke's gospel. Of the original Greek only three sermons and some fragments remain. In this extract Cyril develops Luke's teaching that suffering is the way to glory. Moses and Elijah are witnesses to the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy concerning Jesus. With three chosen disciples Jesus went up the mountain. Then he was transfigured by a wonderful light that made even his clothes seem to shine. Moses and Elijah stood by him and spoke with him of how he was going to complete his task on earth by dying in Jerusalem . In other words, they spoke of the mystery of his incarnation, and of his saving passion upon the cross. For the law of Moses and the teaching of the holy prophets clearly foreshadowed the mystery of Christ. The law portrayed it by types and symbols inscribed on tablets. The prophets in many ways foretold that in his own time he would appear, clothed in human nature, and that for the salvation of all our race he would not refuse to suffer death upon the cross. The presence of Moses and Elijah, and their speaking together, was meant to show unmistakably that the law and the prophets were the attendants of our Lord Jesus Christ. He was their master, whom they had themselves pointed out in advance in prophetic words that proved their perfect harmony with one another. The message of the prophets was in no way at variance with the precepts of the law. Moses and Elijah did not simply appear in silence; they spoke of how Jesus was to complete his task by dying in Jerusalem , they spoke of his passion and cross, and of the resurrection that would follow. Thinking no doubt that the time for the kingdom of God had already come; Peter would gladly have remained on the mountain. He suggested putting up three tents, hardly knowing what he was saying. But it was not yet time for the end of the world; nor was it in this present time that the hopes of the saints would be fulfilled-those hopes founded on Paul's promise that Christ would transform our lowly bodies into the likeness of his glorious body. Only the initial stage of the divine plan had as yet been accomplished. Until its completion was it likely that Christ, who came on earth for love of the world, would give up his wish to die for it? For his submitting to death was the world's salvation, and his resurrection was death's destruction. As well as the vision of Christ's glory, wonderful beyond all description, something else occurred which was to serve as a vital confirmation, not only of the disciple’s faith, but of ours as well. From a cloud on high came the voice of God the Father saying: This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased. Listen to him.