Recent Gospel readings: Matthew 17:1-13, Luke 12:32-48

The Gospels are full and replete with messages and lessons for our own contemplative practice, for our conduct in the world, and for all of society including in modern times. Sometimes when contemplating the Gospels, certain phrases jump out at us that are so pertinent to contemplative prayer practice or meditation practice that we want to make note of them. 

Such are two recent examples that speak directly to contemplation or meditation instruction for ourselves. In Matthew 17:1-13, the Transfiguration, three disciples, Peter, James and John, go up a high mountain with Jesus by themselves. We are told, “There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light.  Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.”  Here Jesus is moving freely between two worlds, the earthly and the divine realm, transformed by the light.  The disciples, being tuned into him, catch glimpses of his glory.

What is Peter’s response? He says, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters – one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.”  Peter has the impulse to set up tents or small chapels for each of these holy figures, as the Israelites did during the Exodus. He would like to keep them there on the mountain. But this idea is soon obliterated when a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” The disciples were terrified and fell to the ground face down, but Jesus touched them and said, “Get up, don’t be afraid.” When they looked up, they saw only Jesus along.

It may happen in meditation or prayer that there is a moment of exceptional connection with God or unusual clarity in the moment. Then right away, our conceptual mind may realize that something unusual has happened and want to hang onto this experience.  This is like Peter wanting to build shelters for the holy figures he has caught a glimpse of.  But we cannot hang onto these experiences; we cannot make these glimpses remain. If we try, then we are just building empty huts. 

Then immediately something even more extraordinary happens, blowing up these ideas of Peter’s. The disciples are enveloped with a bright cloud, surrounded by the light, from which God speaks to them and instructs them to listen. This completely overwhelming experience is terrifying. It is the presence of God, and it does not fit into any comfortable human concepts at all. Listening is the main point. Jesus tells them not to be afraid, and they are back to normal earthly existence. They are instructed not to tell anyone, which would just solidify this mysterious experience further.

From this reading, we learn not to try to hang on to any prayer or meditation experiences. They cannot be contained in human or earthly constructs. Let them go.

In another recent reading, Luke 12:32-48, we learn more about these sudden, unexpected gifts of God’s grace.  As many Christian mystics have written, whether or not we receive moments of deeply felt connection with God is entirely up to God’s grace. It may happen when we least expect it, or it might not. While we can be receptive by practicing contemplation, meditation, and other forms of prayer, beyond that it is completely up to God. St. Teresa of Avila advises us to accept whatever God sends us with patience and gratitude, even if that is a period of aridity in prayer when everything feels dry and perfunctory.

In Luke 12, Jesus encourages his disciples to turn their hearts to the Kingdom and not to prioritize earthly wealth or belongings. We should not indulge in distractions but rather stay focused and attentive. The reason is, “at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.”  Of course he’s talking about the second coming, and this passage contains many theological lessons. But this phrase applies also to our own prayer and meditation practice.  At a time we do not expect, if we are listening and open, we may sense in a fleeting moment God’s presence or a message from the Holy Spirit.

That is all for today.