Some years ago, a documentary was presented, “The Lost Tomb of Jesus.” It is the type of research which you just put in the category of “The DaVinci Code” and the “Gospel of Judas, two other fictitious escapades.

The archeologist who supervised work at the tomb when it was first discovered in 1980, has called the documentary’s claims impossible and nonsense. Make no bones about it — they have not found Jesus’ tomb. He was raised from the dead.

More than likely, there will be another discovery proving that we have been wrong and the Transfiguration was just a hallucination.

A man enacts a scene on a stage. The curtain goes up and reveals darkness. In the darkness is a solitary circle of light thrown by a street lamp. The man, with his long, drawn and worried face, walks around and around the circle of light, desperately looking for the key to his house.

A policeman joins him in the search. They find nothing, and after a while the policeman inquires, “Are you sure you lost it here?”

Pointing to a dark corner of the stage, the man says, “No, over there.”

“Then why on earth are you looking for it here?”

“Well, there’s no light over there.”

All of us face some darkness in our lives and need help to go into it to do something about it.

Jesus has gone up on the mountain to pray. He is on his way to Jerusalem for his exodus; his suffering, death, and resurrection. While he was praying, his face changed in appearance. The change in Jesus came from his prayerful communion with his Father.

He has a deep inner certainty, the realization that, even after you die to everything, even if you encounter failure, God is still God who stays with you.

That is what gave Jesus the strength to face the lonely agony in the garden (abandoned), to face the suffering on the cross. Looking at the crucifix, what is most painful for you? What is your agony, your suffering cross? Whatever sadness or suffering you are experiencing in your life right now, look around you to see if there is anything beautiful, holy, that lifts your heart to God.

 If you don’t, put some holiness there. Listen to someone who is alone; show your patience in a difficult situation. Write a note or make a call; keep in contact with someone who is ill. Look at your disagreements in life — and give forgiveness and reconcile. Make time to pray, to talk and listen to Christ who is the center of your life and who will guide you the right way.

Peter wanted to make the experience last —  where we can be with Christ, away from the craziness of the world, high above all the troubles — the age-old temptation to escape. The vision of the transfiguration was given, not to be kept, but to prepare their souls for others. The first thing that occurs after coming down from the mountain — Jesus and his disciples were met by a father distressed by his son’s illness. Jesus heard and went to heal him.

The Mass is one of the most important ways that Christ stays with us: his word and his body and blood, this is the key to your heart/soul where God strengthens you.

When you leave Mass, take the grace you have received and bring it into the darkness to help you carry the cross you bear.

God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond your strength, but with the temptation will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. (1 Cor 10:13)