Day 89. The Road: On the Mountain Top
Jesus took Peter, John, and James and went up the mountain to pray. While he was praying his face changed in appearance and his clothing became dazzling white. And behold two men were conversing with him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his exodus that he was going to accomplish in Jerusalem. Peter and his companions had been overcome by sleep, but becoming fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. As they were about to part from him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master it is good that we are here; let us make three (tabernacles) one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” But he did not know what he was saying. While he was still speaking, a cloud came and cast a shadow over them, and they become frightened when they entered the cloud. Then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my chosen Son; listen to him.
Luke 9:28-36a
The Church in modern times uses three important words to describe herself. She is mystery, communion and mission. The Church is mystery in that she is the living continuation of the coming of Christ, sent by the Father, empowered by the Spirit. As Jesus is the head, she is the body. She reveals in every age the presence and saving power of Jesus to the world. The Church is communion – a deep, total and lasting union modeled on the Trinity. She unites human and divine, old covenant and new, the living and the dead. She is of all history, of all nations, and of all cultures. In this sense, her reality is only partly visible and moves with gradual, irresistible power towards her ultimate fulfillment in heaven. The Church is mission in that “she exists in order to evangelize,” sent by the Lord to engage every generation in a dialogue of truth, to invite, encourage, affirm and challenge all people of every tongue to know Jesus Christ and the power of his cross.
Admittedly it is difficult to see these characteristics in the Church today. Viewed through the lens of the modern media, the Church is scandal-ridden, out of touch with the real world and headed for extinction. To find a better, more reliable point of view, we turn to the Transfiguration.
Jesus stands exalted on the mountaintop surrounded by five figures. Two, Moses and Elijah, we see in conversation with our Lord discussing his “exodus” in Jerusalem. Three other characters, hand-picked, intimate friends of our Lord, serve as our eyes and ears as the scene unfolds.
The Church’s liturgy instructs us that in Moses and Elijah we are to recognize the testimony of the law and the prophets to Christ. They witness to the continuity of new and old; of Jesus in dialogue with faithful Israel.
If we take one more step back, I believe we can see a similar principle at work in the witness of the three disciples. Moses and Elijah represent the old covenant, while Peter, John and James, I offer, serve as icons of the new. Peter as the rock, entrusted with the keys of the kingdom is the ministry of the magisterium; the organizing figure for the hierarchical Church with particular authority to teach, to render judgment and to offer sacrifice (Matt 16:18). John the beloved disciple is most intimate with our Lord. Reclining at his breast at the last supper (Jn 13:23), entrusted with the care of his mother at the foot of the cross (Jn 19:26f), John is granted unparalleled access to the Lord. His mystical insights give depth to the Gospel that bears his name and describe the astounding visions of Revelation. James is the first martyr from amongst the Twelve (Acts 12:1,2). He precedes the others in giving the ultimate testimony to our Lord, drinking the cup which he also drank (Mk. 10:38-40).
Thus the witness of Moses-as-law and Elijah-as-prophets, is filled out by the threefold presence of Peter-as-minister, John-as-mystic, and James-as-martyr. Further, the three disciples are later commissioned by Jesus on another mountain as apostles – those who are sent as missionaries (Mt. 28:16-20). Their missionary witness is the way we have gained access, all these years later, to the vision of Jesus glorified on the mountain. Each figure gazes on the face of Jesus. Like rays of light they identify various features, different angles on his wonderful countenance. They see and reveal to us features like facets of a precious jewel: the law, prophets, ministers, mystics, missionaries and martyrs.
“Becoming fully awake, they saw his glory.” Yesterday we considered the beginnings of a vocation as an invitation to follow the poor Christ. Today we see vocation in terms of its end – the contemplation of the face of Christ in glory: Christ the mystery unveiled and attested by the voice of the Father. Christ exalted amidst the communion of the saints. Christ in the last stage of his saving mission – preparing for his passion, death and resurrection – the “exodus” of which he speaks to Moses and Elijah.
Through Peter, John and James, I will outline four roads that lead both up and down the mountain. Each road begins with the decision to follow the poor Christ; each ends in the vision of a particular dimension of Jesus’ loving and radiant face. The first is the road of the minister. Through Peter, we’ll consider the priest who follows Christ as head and shepherd; servant and bridegroom. The second road is that of the mystic. In John we’ll examine the consecrated life which is a more radical way, rooted in baptism, and available to both priests and lay people. To consider the road of the missionary, we’ll examine the distinction within consecrated life between contemplation and action. The active expression of consecrated life includes the collaboration with Jesus in the effort to “make disciples of all nations” (Mt. 28:19). Finally, as the highest road in following Christ, we’ll see in James that the crown of martyrdom is not captive to any single vocation. As the most excellent imitation of our Lord and the most eloquent testimony to the Kingdom of heaven, the willingness to make the ultimate confession should energize every Christian vocation.
We delay no longer. There is much to say, and more than can be covered. Consider what follows to be an introductory step in each direction; not a thorough analysis of every wrinkle. I pray that the Holy Spirit will whisper to you in these coming days and either confirm, awaken, or redirect your heart in the matter of God’s call. I should also say that you may choose whether to read about all the vocations. Some will pertain only to women. Others only to men. My recommendation is that a greater understanding of all will be most enriching, but it’s your choice. You can skip if you’d like.
Novena Prayer
RENEWAL OF CONSECRATION TO MARY
Mary, please intercede for me during this Discernment Novena.
You heard the voice of the angel and trusted in the plan of God,
Teach me to listen and to trust.
You pondered in your heart the mystery of God’s unfolding will.
Teach me to silently reflect and discern.
You yielded to the power and grace of the Holy Spirit; gratefully receiving His gifts
Teach me to receive the gifts of the Spirit in my life.
You courageously followed the path marked down for you by God – even to the foot of the cross.
Teach me to be courageous in bearing with Jesus my own cross.
Mary my mother, I consecrate myself to you for the duration of this period of discernment.
Please pray for me that when the time is right, I will respond to God’s invitation in the same words as you:
“I am the servant of the Lord. Let it be done to me as you say.”
Amen.
(in your own words, ask for Mary to intercede for you to the Lord. Ask for an open heart – truly willing to say, “May it be done unto me according to Thy word.”).
Make it My Own
Daily Discernment Workbook
A QUOTE TO NOTE
1. “This is My Son, Listen to Him”
All true vocations point to Christ on the mountain top. In taking this approach, we are following the pattern laid down by St. John Paul in his writings: to experience God’s invitation of intimacy with Christ – “this is my son…listen to him” – is to contemplate our Lord in his Transfiguration.
The three disciples caught up in ecstasy hear the Father's call to listen to Christ, to place all their trust in him, to make him the center of their lives. The words from on high give new depth to the invitation by which Jesus himself, at the beginning of his public life, called them to follow him, to leave their ordinary lives behind and to enter into a close relationship to him….
In the unity of the Christian life, the various vocations are like so many rays of the one light of Christ, whose radiance "brightens the countenance of the Church.”
Lay people. The laity, by virtue of the secular character of their vocation, reflect the mystery of the Incarnate Word particularly insofar as he is the Alpha and the Omega of the world, the foundation and measure of the value of all created things.
Priests. Sacred ministers, for their part, are living images of Christ the Head and Shepherd who guides his people during this time of "already and not yet", as they await his coming in glory.
Vowed Religious. It is the duty of the consecrated life to show that the Incarnate Son of God is the eschatological goal towards which all things tend, the splendor before which every other light pales, and the infinite beauty which alone can fully satisfy the human heart.
St. John Paul II, Vita Consecrata #16
[Category headings are added for clarification]
Where I’m At
As it stands right now, I feel called most strongly to…
Married life? Priesthood? Religious sisterhood? Brotherhood? Monastic life? Stay single for the current time?
What signs has God given me that this comes from him?
How would I know for sure that I’m not just going with what I prefer?
Wanting More
So often our desires for earthly things point to deeper desires for eternal things. Even a desire for marriage may in fact be a hunger for a satisfying love that no mere human spouse can offer. Here’s the way one spiritual writer explained it.
Because the human person as spirit-in-the-flesh breaks out into infinity, each of our desires for limited things implies a desire, usually unrealized at the moment, for the fullness of which the particular thing is only a tiny sharing. Reaching for a glass of ice water on a hot day is only a concrete expression of a deeper need for endless refreshment. Seeking to speak with a dear friend stems from a basic hunger to commune with divine love. Curiosity for news or the eagerness to look upon a splendid sunset emerges from a radical desire to gaze upon the Truth and Beauty who has revealed himself as attainable in the beatific vision.
The human person is therefore a thirst in the flesh, and [consecrated life]* is the direct path vocation to the Fountain. Because it is on a straight line with no detours or distractions, it quenches more readily. Its lifestyle is tailored to attaining the “much more” in this life and eternal enthrallment in the next (Lk 18:29-30). The freedom of the virgin for the one thing makes it easier for her [or him]** to “gaze on the beauty of the Lord” (Ps 27:4) and thus to rejoice in him always (Phil. 4:4).
And You are Christ’s, The Charism of Virginity and the Celibate Life,
Thomas Dubay, SM, Ignatius Press, San Francisco, 1987,
*”virginity” in the original; **modified for clarification.
Do I feel in my heart a yearning for something more? How have I seen evidence of this in my life?
MY FAITH BUILDERS
2. Learning the Language
The days ahead will use some of these terms, so we start with an overview of words related to various roles and vocations in the Church. Many of them we have heard, but a refresher never hurts. Pay attention. There’s a quiz at the end!
Priesthood. The following terms are used in relation to priests and other members of the Church’s hierarchy:
Father: the most common title for a priest. In other languages, Padre, Pére, Dom, etc.
Presbyter: the Greek title used in the New Testament to refer to elders who preside over and govern local churches.
Pastor: from the Latin word for shepherd. As a more formal title, “pastor” usually indicates the leading priest in a parish.
Reverend: a title of respect, usually used when the priest’s name is written or spoken in some formal way.
Diocesan Priest: designates a priest who serves under a specific bishop and diocese. Usually the term is used to distinguish diocesan from religious priests who are members of a particular community of consecrated life (see below).
Holy Shepherds: A general term for priests as well as bishops, usually spoken to them collectively. For example, at an ordination, “we welcome all our Holy Shepherds who have joined us here…”
Monsignor: an honorary title conferred on a priest by his bishop.
Seminarian: a man who is undergoing specialized instruction and training to be ordained a priest, usually in a school for priestly formation called a seminary (from the Latin root for “seed”).
Synonyms and Other Terms. Priesthood is also referred to as the clerical state, sacred ministry, ordained ministry (can also refer to bishops and the diaconate), sacerdotal ministry, and the Latin term in persona Christi (in the person of Christ).
About Bishops:
The term “bishop” means overseer. Bishops, already priests, receive a further ordination for taking on episcopal ministry. Every bishop oversees a geographic area in the Church called a diocese over which he has authority that comes directly from Jesus. Another term for a particular bishop’s diocese is his “see.” One does not receive a vocation from God to be a bishop directly, but rather it is mediated through the authority of the Church. Through a careful process, both diocesan priests and religious priests are raised up to the office of bishop. A religious priest who becomes a bishop retains full membership privileges in his community, but is no longer under the authority of the Superior.
Archbishop: a bishop that oversees an archdiocese while taking pastoral oversight of a grouping of other bishops and their dioceses.
Cardinal: Bishops (and occasionally gifted priests) who are selected by the Pope for special leadership in the Church. Cardinals serve the universal Church in various roles. As bishops they usually oversee important cities worldwide. Additionally, they participate in Church councils, collaborate in issuing important teachings and vote in any election of a new pope.
About the Pope:
The word “pope” derives from the word for father “papa.” The pope’s ministry is also referred to as the papacy, and the petrine ministry (named for Peter who received his commission directly from Jesus Mt. 16:18f). The pope is the bishop of Rome, which is also called the see of Peter, deriving its special place among dioceses because it is the city where both Peter and Paul were martyred. The pope is the pontiff, a term meaning “bridge” to describe his unique role as mediator between Jesus and His Church. The pope is also the keeper of the keys and the Servant of the Servants of God.
Consecrated life. The following terms are used in relation to consecrated life:
Consecrated life: the broadest term for baptized Catholics who freely take vows. Along with Religious (see below) this includes people who take some, but not all three, of the traditional vows as well as those who live and work in the secular world rather than in a religious house and religious apostolate.
Religious life: the most common form of consecrated life. In this context, the title “religious” derives from the root meaning of religion as “to bind oneself.” “Religious” (people who live religious life) live in community, wear a distinctive uniform called a habit and take the three vows of chastity, poverty and obedience.
Vowed life: refers specifically to the vows and therefore refers most often to religious life. Similarly, the phrase “to follow Christ more closely in poverty, chastity and obedience,” or, shorter and in Latin, Sequela Christi.
Religious Institutes:
These are communities or “families” of religious life within the Church who share a particular grace, called a charism, and who serve in a particular work called an apostolate. Other names for these communities are congregations and, among the largest and the oldest, religious orders. Founders of these communities are often well known saints such as St. Ignatius of Loyola (the Jesuits), St. Clare of Assisi (the women’s branch of the Franciscan order), or St. Jane de Chantal (the Visitation Sisters).
Contemplative: consecrated men or women dedicated to a life of prayer and simple work, usually in a convent (for women) or monastery (for men).
Active: consecrated men or women dedicated to service in the world – care of the poor, or education of the young for example. Active religious also live in community, wear habits and pray, but they go out from their homes to serve.
Hermits: religious men (sometimes women, though rare) who live a life of intense prayer apart from community, usually in a specific place, though they may also travel as Pilgrims. Hermits live a singular way of life called “eremitic” that distinguishes it from “cenobitic” which is religious life in community. Since community is the norm for consecrated life, hermits must first live community life well before being allowed to live as hermits.
Religious sister (or simply Sister): a woman in religious life. Most often this refers to women in active life. There are so many excellent examples of women’s religious communities it’s difficult to choose a few. Suffice it to say, these comprise the vast majority of religious in the Church today.
Nun: always refers to women religious, and commonly describes religious sisters who wear a veil. It may also specifically indicate women in contemplative life.
Religious priest: as described above, designates a priest who has taken religious vows and therefore is no longer under the direct authority of a diocesan bishop but is obedient to the superior of his specific religious community. This enables him to move more freely in serving a specific mission or ministry in the Church.
Religious brother (or simply brother): a man in religious life who is not ordained. It used to be that brothers were men who were unable to fulfill the requirements of priesthood. Today brothers are men who choose celibacy for the sake of Christ apart from ordained ministry. This opens up opportunities of witness, collaboration and service distinct from the priesthood.
Monk: always refers to a man in vows, ordained or not ordained, most often wearing a hooded robe and usually contemplative. The term “monk” refers to the solitary nature of the vocation. Though he lives and prays in a community, he is a “spiritual athlete” (ascetic) who seeks God in the silence and solitude of his own cell (room). Examples of monastic orders are Benedictines, Carmelites, Carthusians and Cistercians, also called Trappists.
Friar: men in religious vows, both ordained and non-ordained, who are engaged in active rather than contemplative religious life. The term comes from the Italian word for brother and most often refers to members of the Franciscan or Dominican orders.
Novice: a religious man or woman in an intensive time of preparation and training for religious profession. Novitiate usually lasts one or two years.
Synonyms for Making Vows: Making profession (for example ‘first profession’ which follows novitiate). Taking the veil (for women). Entry (for example the question, “when did you enter?”).
Laity: This always refers to both men and women who are baptized. Other common terms are the baptized, the lay faithful, or simply the faithful. Lay people may be married or single.
Life state: Currently, only married life and priesthood are considered life states in the Catholic Church.
Got it? Good. Let’s See How Well You Do…
A. Which of the following does not receive training in a novitiate? (Choose one)
1. Sister 2. Diocesan priest 3. Religious priest 4. Monk 5. Nun 6. Hermit
B. Hierarchically speaking, who has greater authority in the Church? (Number them with #1 as the highest)
[ ] Monsignor [ ] Pope [ ] Bishop [ ] Priest [ ] Cardinal
C. Which of these is not considered part of a religious habit? (Choose one)
1. Veil 2. Robe 3. Sandals 4. Crucifix 5. Bishop’s hat (called a miter) 6. Hood
D. Which of these are things that cloistered contemplatives don’t do?
1. Pray the divine office 2. Teach religious education in a parish 3. Tend a farm or work with livestock 4. Take a vacation
5. Write or edit theological texts 6. Mow the lawn
3. Making a Difference
Who is a priest, sister, brother or other religious that holds a special place in my heart? Someone who has made a real impact on my life? Describe the difference he or she has made.
Conclude with
“Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be.
World without end, Amen.”
[1] “Evangelizing is in fact the grace and vocation proper to the Church, her deepest identity. She exists in order to evangelize, that is to say, in order to preach and teach, to be the channel of the gift of grace, to reconcile sinners with God, and to perpetuate Christ’s sacrifice in the Mass….” Evangelii Nuntiandi #14, Paul VI
[2] Liturgy of the Hours, Feast of the Transfiguration, antiphon for midmorning
Quiz answer key (no peeking):
A. 2 – Diocesan priests go to seminary. Religious priests attend both novitiate and seminary.
B. 1-Pope; 2-Cardinal; 3-Bishop; 4- it’s a tie. Monsignors, for the most part, have no more authority than priests (trick question).
C. 5 - A Bishop’s hat is a specific mark of his episcopal office, not of consecrated life.
D. 2, 4 - Within their cloisters, contemplatives carry out many important services to the Church as well as necessary chores for maintaining their way of life. Contemplatives run bakeries, breweries and hatcheries. These kinds of work generate income to provide for the needs of the community.