The Apostles Peter, James and John were singled out by Jesus Christ at least three times to witness major Biblical events that would both challenge and strengthen their understanding, their commitment, and especially their supernatural faith in Jesus Christ as Son of God. Worshippers this coming Sunday will hear of these handpicked disciples accompanying Jesus up Mount Tabor in Galilee where he was astonishingly transformed before their very eyes. St. Peter was so awestruck that he was rendered almost speechless: “But he did not know what he was saying (Lk 9:33).” St. Peter and the two sons of Zebedee will also be invited to view firsthand the raising of Jairus’ daughter, a privilege and a challenge not accorded the other disciples or the crowds who were so enthralled with Jesus. “He did not allow anyone to accompany him inside except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James (Mk 5:37).” Saints Peter, James and John will yet again be requested to accompany Jesus to the inner sanctuary of the Garden of Gethsemane, once more apart from the other disciples, as a support and an encouragement for the Master who was approaching the harrowing challenges of malicious betrayal, traumatic suffering and painful death: “He took along Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to feel sorrow and distress (Mt 26:37).”
God the Father astonishingly declared the transfigured Jesus on Mt. Tabor to be his own Divine Son: “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him (Mt. 17:5).” This stunning proclamation struck the chosen apostles all the more powerfully since, just shortly before, Jesus had courageously announced the inevitability of his passion and death: “From that time on, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer greatly from the elders, the chief priests and the scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised (Mt.16:21). The message did not sit well with the disciples. St. Peter took great exception to the sad news: “Then Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, “God forbid, Lord! No such thing shall ever happen to you (Mt.16:22).” Christ certainly knew that his apostolic band, for all their good intentions, were sorely in need of a much strengthened faith. The glorious transfiguration on Tabor began to meet this need. And apparently with some success.
When challenged to raise Jairus’ daughter, Jesus insists that the first step in the healing process was faith: “Do not be afraid; just have faith (Mk 5:37).” Again, he singles out the favored three for their support: “He did not allow anyone to accompany him inside except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James (Mk. 5:38).” Their faith contrasts greatly with the ridicule the crowd offers to Jesus when he approaches the house for the cure: “And they laughed him to scorn (Mk. 5:40).” Nonetheless, Jesus surrounds himself with a community of faith and approached the twelve-year-old: “He took along the child’s father and mother and those who were with him and entered the room where the child was (Mk5:41).” The young girl is raised and, at Jesus’ kind direction, is given something to eat.
Faith is clearly the root and foundation of Christian holiness. Jesus understands faith to be indispensable for the success of his ministry and vital for the life of the Church he is establishing. Although the disciples will greatly fall short at the time of Jesus’ Passion and Death, he still appreciated that they were men of faith, even if a faith more hopeful than realized. Jesus agonizes greatly over his impending doom and is understandably forlorn at the negligence of the elite trio. “The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak (Mt. 26:41),” Christ laments. St. John does his best to affirm Jesus, following him into the night. And St. Peter’s failed attempts at courage display at least some good will. The seed of faith has been planted but it has a long season before maturity.
This early Lenten Scripture reading of the proud heavenly Father and the uncertain disciples on Tabor is an affirmation of the need for all believers to grow in faith. The disciples had to face challenging realities: the Divine Sonship of Jesus; the Passion and Death of God’s Beloved Son; the scorn of the crowds that Jesus came to redeem; the lethargy even of fellow believers. This Lent the Christian community faces the same tests of faith: Christ as God’s Son; Christ as effective Redeemer; Christ as ignored by much the world. Lent is a time to reaffirm one’s basic Christian faith and to spread afar this basic Christ faith. Lenten prayers, fasting and almsgiving are hallowed steps for the deepening of one’s personal faith. They are daily challenges to embrace and act out, however humbly, the lofty truths of the Christian religion.
