From the mountaintop

DID you hear the story about a dog that is a Math wizard? When asked "What is 2 x 2," it would bark four times. Everything was going great, until one day someone asked "What is 2 million x 2 million?" Triggered by the question, the dog started barking, and according to the story, the poor dog is still barking up to now.

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The experience of the Transfiguration (Lk. 9, 28-36) must have been such an overwhelming experience for Peter, James and John that it triggered Peter to exclaim, "Master, how good it is for us to be here!" This mountaintop experience of Jesus' divinity was a "one moment in time" that gave the three disciples the vision and the inspiration to do their mission. It was a peak experience that made them know who Jesus is and who they are. It was a moment to remember, that changed them forever.

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Was there a moment in your life when you experienced God in a very real and personal way? Our God is a God who reveals himself to us. He is not a God who is neutral and indifferent. He is a God who draws close to us, and who goes the extra mile to seek and draw us closer to Him. It is very comforting to know that our God is not a God who snubs or shuts us out. On the contrary, He is a God who is present, and who is always near.

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A real religious conversion should lead not only to pious devotions but to real-life transformation. There are some people who are guilty of "spiritual gluttony," pious and devotional, but lacking in real-life commitment and involvement. And so it is that there are people who go after the consolations of God, and not after the God of consolations. The comforts that God gives us should not make us comfortable. Rather, these should lead us to risk our comfort zones and lead us to broader horizons. If your spirituality leads you to become selfish, narrow-minded and proud, you are missing the point. You are not letting God carry you, lead you and transform you.

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Last week, I wrote about my dog Toffie that is always trying to get into my room, and my refusal to let him in, precisely because he disturbs my comfort zone. And so, I shut him out, and I give him something to eat outside. That way, he is happy and I am at peace. This is what we do with God when we manipulate him by throwing crumbs unto Him, while we go on with our worldly feasts and celebrations. But, like my persistent dog, God never gives up on us. He waits. He stays and He continues to offer himself again and again. If we look back at our lives, we see our unfaithfulness and falls, and God's unconditional love and faithfulness through it all.

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Be careful of people going around these days, throwing crumbs to the people. They are "wolves in sheep's clothing" wooing innocent and helpless people, capitalizing on stolen wealth (the people's money!), to manipulate their ignorance and poverty by giving them bread and circus. We need a real transfiguration experience in our country. EDSA I was one mountaintop experience for us as a nation when we saw who we are and where we wanted to go. It was one shining moment, but too bad, it did not shine long enough. We are in the dark again, led by leaders who light their faces instead of lighting the path. But still, I believe that the memory of the mountaintop experience is still in our minds and hearts. It was possible once. It is possible again. Let this be a warning to those who belittle the memory, the intelligence and the inner reserve and resolve of the Filipino.

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Remember Fatima Soriano, the blind 10-year-old girl who had peritoneal dialysis five times daily? By God's grace, and with people's help and generosity, Fatima underwent a successful kidney transplant operation last February 28, and is now almost fully recovered! Praise God! Literally, this is a real transfiguration for the frail child who can walk around and play and need not be tied down to IV needles anymore. The courage and the joy of Fatima are very inspiring and contagious. She is a beautiful example of one who brings her mountaintop transfiguration's shining moment to the deep and dark valleys to light up our paths. Though blind, she gives us a vision. Though small, she reminds us of our call.

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I will be in Roxas City on March 12 for a 5 p.m. Mass at the Cathedral in memory of Father Tony Barriatos, SVD, a classmate of mine who died as a missionary in Paraguay 10 years ago. Aglow with the transfigured Christ, he in turn went on to "bark" for his master in that part of the world. What are you barking about in your life? Barker ka nino (Whose barker are you)?

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Don't forget our Palm Sunday Recollection at the Meralco Theater starting at 8 a.m., April 4.

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A moment with the Lord

Lord, in mountains high and valleys low, please be with me and be my guide. Amen.