I've used the term "mountaintop" in
faculty meetings to describe those moments, specifically while on retreat
and/or during high points of our year, that fill us with energy, passion,
conviction and inspiration. Basking in the light while on the mountain
fills us with hope and joy. Like the apostles in today's Gospel,
we would like to stay there forever.
We've seen His glory. We've experienced His
transforming power. But, we've also realized that we do not, and in this world
cannot, stay on the mountain.
We have not been called to stay there; those
deemed worthy to ascend to the heights are simultaneously called to descend to
the pits and valleys and point, lead, guide and assist others to the
mountaintop.
Oftentimes, we find this work arduous. Challenges
abound. Setbacks occur. The ascent is fraught with difficult footing,
conditions, and passages. Discouragement mounts. Doubt clouds our perspective,
making it seem as though making it back to top is not only impossible but also
pointless.
As His disciples we must keep the memory of our
mountaintop experiences at the forefront of our minds. We must guard these
moments within our hearts and not allow anything or anyone to steal them from
us. Using applied optimism, we must recollect the energy, passion, conviction
and inspiration found on the mountaintop and tap into it in moments of darkness
and despair. The hope of restoration should propel us back to the peak.
We were not made for comfort; we were made for
greatness. Greatness isn't easy. It involves hard work, hard work that we can
do.
There is a line from the second part of the
Eucharistic prayer that states, "giving thanks that you have held us
worthy to be in your presence and minister to you." As ministers of
Catholic education, God has held us worthy to be in His presence and minister
to Him through our work at Incarnation Catholic School. He has deemed us worthy
to join in His Passion. Let us always give Him thanks for this, no matter how
long the journey, no matter how heavy the cross.
For if He has found us worthy to join in carrying
His cross, we are also worthy of participating in His death and
Resurrection.
Both the Transfiguration and the Crucifixion take
place on the top of a mountain. We can't have one without the other. So, let us
not count the cost. Let us not worry. Let us not doubt.
Let us ascend with hope. Let us
rise...to the mountaintop!
