On the Mountain you were. . . .
The New Testament records actions of God being manifested on various mountains. Early in the Gospel of St. Matthew we know that Jesus faced the temptations set forth by the devil. The devil took Jesus to an exceedingly high mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and said all things would be His if He fell down and worship ed the devil. From this mountain top, Jesus exclaimed the powerful words: “Away with you Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.”(Mt.4:8-l0)

Jesus had a number of experiences on various mountains which command our consideration. His incomparable Sermon on the Mount recorded in the Gospel of St. Matthew is a constant source of inspiration for all who seek the Lord.

Mt.Tabor is the site of Jesus’ transfiguration. We know that Jesus went up on a high mountain with Peter, James and John. He was transfigured before them, his face being like the sun and his clothes as white as light. Moses and Elijah appeared and were talking with Christ. Out of a cloud came a voice exclaiming: “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”(Mt.l7:l-5)

Each year on August 6th our churches celebrate the Transfiguration as major feast and we enter into the mountain experience of Jesus, Moses, Elijah, Peter, James and John. Our hearts are lifted up. We raise our thoughts and consider the enormity of this divine occurrence.

The Mount of Olives was the site Jesus chose to prepare for His triumphal entry into Jerusalem. It was at the Mount of Olives that He instructed two disciples to go forward to locate the donkey and the colt and bring them to Him. He made His entry into Jerusalem listening to the words we hear each Palm Sunday.(Mt.21:l-9)

If we are to fully appreciate the place of mountains in God’s scheme of things, we must continue to examine their presence in the history of the world which we associate with Christianity. We should not overlook the fact that Moses and Elijah, both of whom had experiences on mountains during their lives on earth, centuries later appeared with Jesus Christ on Mt.Tabor at the Transfiguration. This must be viewed as more than a passing coincidence

As Orthodox Christians, we are challenged to examine many aspects of the teachings and writings which have been preserved for us through the centuries. We are not to be stagnant in our beliefs and understanding of the world and in our view and relationship with God. Many centuries ago, the Holy Prophet Isaiah proclaimed the measured words: “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.”(Is.2:3) Each of us must make the trek to the mountain of God, that we may seek His understanding and learn of His presence.

Each of us must climb the mountain, struggling with the terrain, gripping the slippery edges, and holding to the vision. God has nourished and fed us in the fertile valleys of life. God has provided the waters to quench our thirst. His mountain is set before us, calling us to the place of rest it was for Noah, the place of direction and vision it was for Moses, the place of certainty and mission it was for Elijah.

Let us draw from the Sermon on the Mount, to feed our spiritual hunger. Let us look to Mount Tabor, to the glistening Christ and join with Peter in saying: “Lord it is good for us to be here...”(Mt.l7:4) Let us remember His triumphal entry into Jerusalem and say: “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest.” (Mt.21:9)