After six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, conversing with him. Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, "Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud cast a shadow over them, then from the cloud came a voice that said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him." When the disciples heard this, they fell prostrate and were very much afraid. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, "Rise and do not be afraid." And when the disciples raised their eyes, they saw no one else but Jesus alone. As they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, "Do not tell the vision to anyone until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead."

Introductory Prayer: Lord, thank you for the gift of your Transfiguration. Just as you were transfigured before the apostles, I want to be transformed by your grace. You are the source of holiness and goodness. In the measure I am united to You, in that same measure will I be transformed by You.

Petition: Help me to acquire the daily habit of prayer, making the effort necessary to do so.

1.Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. Have I ever thought about what Jesus would invite me to do with him if he were here in flesh and blood? The Gospel says he one day took Peter, James and John with him on a hike up a mountain by themselves. He would like to do the same with me, take me to a quiet place to be alone with him in prayer and discover who he really is. We don't really know Christ, and we cannot get to know him on our own and with our own effort. It takes God's initiative and God's grace; knowledge of Christ is a revelation, it is Christ opening himself to me. There is a type of knowledge we can get by studying the catechism and theology with faith, and there is a deeper, personal knowledge that makes us friends of Christ, that allows us to get to know him personally. This is a fruit of prayer, of spending time with him. 

The problem with prayer is, it can be difficult. Sometimes it is easy, but not always. It is hard to overcome the distractions and temptations that come, and make us want to put it off until later, until it is easy. But Jesus took the apostles up a high mountain, they had to climb, exert themselves. Only after this investment of effort are they rewarded by seeing Christ transfigured. Our efforts to pray well will be rewarded with insights, grace, and an increase in the gifts of faith, hope and love. If want to know Christ enough we will know this effort is worth it. Knowing him will change how we look on everything else in our lives. 

The Catechism of the Catholic Church tells us:

Prayer is both a gift of grace and a determined response on our part. It always presupposes effort. The great figures of prayer of the Old Covenant before Christ, as well as the Mother of God, the saints, and he himself, all teach us this: prayer is a battle. Against whom? Against ourselves and against the wiles of the tempter who does all he can to turn man away from prayer, away from union with God. We pray as we live, because we live as we pray. If we do not want to act habitually according to the Spirit of Christ, neither can we pray habitually in his name. The "spiritual battle" of the Christian's new life is inseparable from the battle of prayer. CCC # 2725

 
2.Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." Peter gladly climbed the mountain with Christ. He was willing to leave the comfort of others' company to be alone with Christ. Now, he is experiencing "consolation" those times in prayer when everything seems great, when we really feel God's presence and we don't want it to end. That type of possession of God is something reserved for the next life, and in this life we cannot "stay on the top of the mountain" with Christ always. He himself leads us back down. We should not seek a prayer-life that is centered only on our own experience of Christ. We have to descend the mountain and bring that experience back into the "ordinary" life we lead every day.
 
Seeking consolation alone is not what Christ wants us to do in prayer. He does not accede to Peter's offer. We ought not to be surprised when "consolation" in prayer slips away from us, this should not discourage us. We have to hold onto what our faith has shown us clearly, and not be afraid when we don't experience it with our senses.

3.Rise and do not be afraid." Christ was telling them not to be afraid, because they had heard the voice of the Father, and for them this was a fearful experience. Like the people at the time of Moses, who preferred Moses to do the speaking to God rather than deal with God directly, such was their awe and fear at the great majesty and power of God.
Christ tells us not to be afraid; he is the manifestation of the Father's love. The Father wants us to come to him in trust and simplicity, while still conscious of his might and power.

Christ also tells us not to be afraid to leave our times of prayer and return to our normal activities with our hearts transformed, with a message to give to others. Not of fear the consequences for ourselves.

Conversation: Lord Jesus, you know how difficult I find it at times to pray. Nevertheless, I want to follow your invitation and come to know you in prayer as you really are. Give me the faith and courage to launch into the deep - to begin to pray with all my heart for love of you and a healthy love for myself! Open to me in prayer the message I have to bring into my daily life and give to all those I meet.

Questionnaire:

1. Do I pray everyday? How do I handle the difficulties I find to pray?

2. In what way do I try to bring the fruit of my prayer into my daily life?

3. What has my prayer taught me about Christ?