Two of today's readings have in common an experience (Abram's and then Jesus' three special friends') of the awesome presence of God. Abram fell into a trance and felt lost in a deep terrifying darkness, before receiving the Lord's solemn promise to give the land to his descendants, who the Lord said would be as numerous as the stars of the sky. Abram put his faith in the Lord.

When Jesus took His three special friends up the mountain, they were overcome by sleep first, but then awoke to see Christ transfigured in glory. But they became frightened when the cloud came and covered them. From the cloud came that voice saying "This is my chosen Son, listen to Him". Peter and his friends fell silent. What they had seen and heard was to prepare them for what they could not themselves have imagined, namely Jesus' passion, dying and rising from death. Even with this mystical experience of God's closeness, they had difficulties in trusting and believing.

It is a gift and a blessing for a human being to catch even a glimpse of God's presence and power. Many saints have had such an experience and tried to describe it. Ordinary people too have such experiences. There are times and places and events where each of us does sometimes feel something of God's presence.