A young priest was making his first pastoral visit to a nursing home in a new parish. He was running late, had skipped lunch, and was feeling hungry. As he entered the room of an elderly bedridden woman and introduced himself, he couldn’t help but notice a large bowl of peanuts on her nightstand. Although it was not his usual practice, he excused himself and asked, “Ma’am, do you mind if I have some of those peanuts?”

“Of course, Father,” she replied with hospitality. “Help yourself.”

Grateful, he took some. The peanuts had a strange texture and a faintly stale taste, but it was a relief to have something in his stomach. He continued eating handful after handful as the woman rambled on about her connection to the parish and the achievements of her children and grandchildren.

By the time he caught himself, he realized most of the peanuts were gone. Somewhat embarrassed, he extended the nearly empty bowl to the woman and said, “Excuse my rudeness. Would you like some of these peanuts?”

“Oh, no, Father,” she said with a smile. “I don’t like peanuts. I just enjoy the chocolate coating. After I sucked off the chocolate, I put the peanuts in that bowl.”

Things are often not as they seem. It is amazing how often we walk around with a distorted picture of ourselves, others, and our surroundings. We can know someone for many years and suddenly find out that there is a part of that person — a gift, a flaw, a dream — that we never noticed. Someone that we always trusted can turn out to be false. Someone we never understood may suddenly step forward as a friend. When this new truth hits us, it can leave us feeling confused and disoriented.

This is what happened to the disciples in this weekend’s Gospel. During the Transfiguration, they saw a new truth about Jesus. Until then, they had known Jesus as a teacher and friend, but now, they saw Him in His divine glory, a companion to Moses and Elijah.

This new truth overwhelmed them. Peter did not know what he was talking about. The disciples were all terrified. Yet, when the vision fades, the disciples realized they have grown. They now saw more clearly who Jesus is.

Although truth can be confusing and even disturbing, we always take a step forward when we claim it. Even though truth can be painful, it is better to face reality than to live in illusion and denial. Lent is a time where we try to step closer to the truth, particularly the truth about ourselves. Self-knowledge is never complete, and sometimes, what we discover might leave us feeling a little uneasy as eating a stale bowl of peanuts. Yet, owning that truth is the first step toward grace.

— Father Mark