The Mountaintop Experience

At some moments we experience complete unity within us and around us.
This may happen when we stand on a mountaintop and are captivated by the view.
It may happen when we witness the birth of a child or the death of a friend.
It may happen when we have an intimate conversation or a family meal.
It may happen in church during a service or in a quiet room during prayer.
But whenever and however it happens we say to ourselves:
"This is it ... everything fits ... all I ever hoped for is here."

This is the experience that Peter, James, and John had on the top of Mount Tabor when they saw the aspect of Jesus' face change and his clothing become sparkling white.
They wanted that moment to last forever (see Luke 9:28-36).
This is the experience of the fullness of time.
These moments are given to us so that we can remember them when God seems far away and everything appears empty and useless.
These experiences are true moments of grace.

What Have You Seen?

. . . Imagine trying to describe color to a blind person, or music to a deaf person.
Imagine trying to explain motherly or fatherly love to an orphan.
These are not ideas, but realities that come to us through experience.
We aare not just spiritual, but also physical; and so our experiences begin with what we hear and see and sense.
. . . What have you seen?
Who is a sign for you that Christ has come and remains with us?
. . . Someone who sacrifices joyfully?
A happily married couple?
A teacher?
A friend?
A colleague?
A family member?
Lord Jesus, help me to recognize the things I hear and see which speak of your Presence.

-- Father Richard Veras

Loving Father, let me be attentive to every experience

of my life so that I will always discover

the closeness of your Son.