Coming down the mountain ~ Second Sunday of Lent (Mark 9:2-10)

We journey to the mountain top in the Gospel this Sunday as Jesus invites Peter, James and John to join him and be witnesses to his transfiguration; to seeing Jesus for who he really is. The people of Sebeya in Ethiopia once lived in a region where mountain tops were green and covered in vegetation. Today, the people of Sebeya are confused as to why their rains have stopped and why a land once full of vegetation is now dry. The people of Sebeya live a simple life and have played no part in causing their weather systems to change. They are experiencing the effects of climate change, the cause of which lies with the lifestyles of rich nations thousands of miles away. This is a great injustice.

When we read today’s Gospel we can see Peter who is desperate to stay on the mountain in that blissful moment with Jesus, so much so that he offers to build tents. But Jesus’ way is different to what Peter may have had in mind at the time. The mountain is far more comfortable whereas Jesus’ way involves coming down from the mountain and walking a very different path. We hear the call to act on climate justice everywhere but now we need to really listen and to take urgent action. Yes it involves making changes to our lifestyles, yes it involves campaigning our governments who are slow to act. The damage caused by countries in the Global North will soon become irreversible. We start with ourselves, with small acts in the hope that the Kings’ and Presidents of the world will follow.

“Creation is not a property, which we can rule over at will; or, even less, is the property of only a few: Creation is a gift, it is a wonderful gift that God has given us, so that we care for it and we use it for the benefit of all, always with great respect and gratitude.” Pope Francis