I don't know what's going to happen now; we've got some difficult days ahead. But it really doesn't matter to me now because I've been to the mountaintop. . . And I've looked over, and I've seen the Promised Land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight that we as a people will get to the Promised Land. And so, I'm happy tonight. I'm not worried about anything. I'm not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord.
— Martin Luther King, Jr., April 3, 1968, Memphis, Tennessee

Dr. King's words were amazingly prescient. The very next day after delivering this moving speech, he was assassinated, triggering disbelief, mourning and unrest in our country during an extraordinary year that would also see the martyrdom of Robert F. Kennedy.

The mountain that Dr. King referred to has deep biblical roots. Certainly, he was recalling the progress that the African-American community had made in civil rights reform, due in large part to Dr. King's noble efforts. But there is also a sense of the Old Testament story of Moses' final view of the Promised Land on Mount Nebo before his death.

The Lord said [to Moses], "This is the land which I swore to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob that I would give to their descendants. I have let you feast your eyes, but you shall not cross over."
— Deuteronomy 34:4

The gospel writers were well aware of the significance of a mountain, with all its connotations of struggle, achievement, and revelation. The Ten Commandments were given to Moses on Mt. Sinai. The Transfiguration of Jesus could have no better setting than to take place on a mountain — either Mt. Tabor or Mt. Hermon, according to tradition. On that mountain, which took a bit of an effort to walk or climb, the disciples received a glimpse of the glorified and resurrected Jesus. That he was in conversation with Moses (representing the Law) and Elijah (representing the prophets) only cemented Jesus as the bridge between the Old and New Testaments. Indeed, Jesus is the fulfillment of the Law and the prophets.

Put yourself in the disciples' shoes. How would you react to a vision of the glorified Jesus? Peter seems to be so overcome by the experience that he starts babbling off at the mouth:

Master, it is good that we are here; let us make three tents, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.
— Luke 9:33

The scripture then relates that Peter "did not know what he was saying." Frankly, if I were to personally see Jesus hanging out with Moses and Elijah, I'd be at a loss for words, too!

Last week, on the First Sunday of Lent, we walked with Jesus in the desert, trying to let go of all our personal excess baggage in search of our genuine God-centered selves. This week, we climb with Jesus to the mountaintop, hoping to find some kind of direction from God about our Lenten journey. Along the way, we might end up talking too much and not realizing all the non-essential stuff we're spouting out. It's time for us to shut up! God's trying to get a word in edgewise:

This is my chosen Son; listen to him.

Listen to Jesus! That's the basic message of the Second Sunday of Lent. In our prayer, do we monopolize our conversation with God by doing all the talking? Prayer has been likened to the challenge of climbing a mountain. It is difficult, and there are many distractions that may force us to turn back and try something easier. Have you been to the mountaintop? As we climb the Mountain of God, let us refrain from doing all the talking and simply listen to Jesus.