In my homily last weekend I talked a lot about prayer (it is posted on this page). The prayer that I was discussing was largely intercessory prayer-- asking God for what we need and want. We all do that a lot. Today we celebrate the feast of the Transfiguration, where a different kind of prayer in happening (Lk 9: 28-36). Jesus takes Peter, James and John "up to a mountain to pray." It doesn't seem like they have any particular needs in mind. Peter, James and John may not know it, but my guess is that Jesus is just going to talk to the Father, and He wants them there as part of the conversation. This prayer is just about a relationship. The place where Jesus takes the three is obviously remote ("up a mountain") and presumably quiet and peaceful. It is so relaxing that Peter, James and John are "overcome by sleep" while Jesus is praying. And it is in this state of relaxation/semi-sleep that they have an exceptionally-deep spiritual experience. They hear the voice of the Father; they experience the presence of the Holy Spirit in the form of a cloud. They see Moses and Elijah, whose identity must have been divinely revealed to them. How else would they know the two men speaking with Jesus? Prayer isn't always, or even mostly, about asking for something. It is mostly about our relationship with the Divine, a relationship which, like all relationships, needs time and attention. That means spending time in quiet, even relaxation, just being attentive to the presence of God in and around us. You can't do that just anywhere. Mass is great, but it is tough to get into contemplative prayer at Mass, at least for me. Too many people around and too much going on. To do the kind of praying which Jesus and Peter, James and John are doing requires someplace special. Elsewhere Jesus talks about going into one's "inner room" with the door closed (Mt 6:6). God will reveal great things to us in prayer, as He did to Peter, James and John. But we have to put aside worldly things, and get to that quiet center of our hearts, in our inner room, to let that happen. Do you have a place where you pray? Is it someplace where you can truly be alone with God? Can you close the door? It doesn't have to be up a mountain-- very few of us have access to that kind of spot-- but I do think it is helpful to have someplace where quiet and contemplation can happen regularly. Prayer, the kind where we quietly contemplate God's glory (which Jesus displayed so brilliantly) can be a great gift. Think about having a place to receive that gift.