Photo was taken at the Oriel House Hotel, Ballincollig, Co.Cork (Irl)

Aine McVeigh and Caoimhe O’Leary lovingly frame Luke Gallagher during a recent TY Col√°iste Choilm Charity Ball.

Thought on Sunday – March – 04/03/2012

The following reflection is by Triona Doherty called ‘On Top Of The Mountain’

In a film, when someone reaches the summit of a mountain, we often get that wonderful panoramic, spinning shot of the person as they take it all in, from their perch at the highest point of the landscape. It gives some idea of the feeling of dizziness at being so high, of the sense of accomplishment, of being on top of the world. In film and literature, mountains are often places of achievement, of encounter with ourselves or indeed with a higher being, places of transformation. In the Bible too, mountains have enormous significance as places of encounter with God, and today we hear of two mountain top encounters. The story of Abraham and Isaac is puzzling – one commentator calls it a ‘monstrous test’. Why would God take Abraham on this mountain expedition and ask him to sacrifice his only son? It is a story about faith, drawing us deep into the mystery of the relationship between God and his people. We enter the story with Abraham, and we wait with him in helpless silence on the mountain as God’s will gradually makes itself known. Our Gospel tells of a very different encounter as Peter, James and John are treated to a dramatic display of God’s presence, an encounter that confused and bewildered them and must have left them forever changed. Two very different encounters on two different mountains, and two contrasting experiences of the mysterious presence of God. Like the disciples, we may find ourselves pondering and discussing: what could it mean?