Descending the Mountain | Second Sunday Lenten Reflection 2026

In this week’s Gospel, we hear of the Transfiguration, the visible example of God’s divinity, and the foreshadowing of the Resurrection of Jesus to come. It is meant to prepare the disciples for Christ’s Crucifixion and Resurrection and to strengthen their faith before these events take place. 

Having encountered such a spiritually powerful moment, the disciples were rather hesitant to leave the mountain. This feeling is understandable. However, the disciples’ mission was to follow in the work of Christ. In descending the mountain, they would be leaving the “spiritual high” which was the Transfiguration and returning to their daily lives-- a task which had proven to be difficult. Lent is like a journey to the top of the mountain. After preparation and a journey uphill, we reach the top, that high in which we feel God’s presence most. Perhaps more important than reaching the peak of that mountain, however, is the descent from the mountain.

Think of it in the context of St. Ignatius, who instructed us to, “Go set the world aflame”. There’s a reason why we, unfortunately, cannot stay in college forever. It’s one thing to learn and grow within the walls of Chestnut Hill, but it’s another to actually go out into the world and live out all that you’ve learned here.

The disciples couldn’t have stayed on top of the mountain forever, even as tempting as it may have sounded. Their job, and our job as people, is to live out all that we have learned from the experiences which God has placed into our lives. Living out those moments of spiritual growth and applying them into our daily lives is the only way for us to truly grow in our relationship with God and others. 

It’s scary, at first, to put yourself in an unfamiliar position. But ultimately, we can choose to live in fear of never fully reaching that spiritual peak again, or we can descend the mountain and implement what we have learned into our lives and let that newly strengthened faith encounter and inspire others. So that the next time we come across a beautifully steep mountain, we can bring another person with us. This is discipleship. This is our call to one another!

Emily Wollan is a senior at Boston College double-majoring in Secondary Education & English with a minor in Theology. On campus, she is involved in the Liturgy Arts Group, Orientation, Arrupe, the University Chorale, Student Admissions Program, and 48Hours. 

Learn more about C21 Living Lent here.