The Marks Post: It is good that we are here

This past weekend, I went on my 10th retreat at Our Lady of the Oaks Retreat House in Grand Coteau.
On the first night of the retreat, after the first talk, I walked out of the chapel and gazed outward. I saw the white statue of St. Ignatius of Loyala standing out front in the dark and the lights lining the driveway. It was more of an incredible site than it is during the day. My initial reaction was, “It is good that we are here.”
Then, on Saturday, I found my new favorite spot. I went sit on a swing that is a few yards off to the side of the St. Charles Cemetery. I sat down and looked the Spanish moss draping over the graves. I saw the crucifix standing in the middle of the old Jesuit cemetery and saw the cow pasture in the background. Again, the thought of “It is good that we are here” came to mind.
On the surface, it was good to be back on retreat at The Oaks. But there is a deeper meaning to this thought that I meditated on during last year’s retreat.
At the end of each day of Creation, God looked at what He created and “saw that it was good.” Fast forward into the New Testament, and Peter said “Lord, it is good that we are here” when Jesus took him, James, and John up the mountain for the Transfiguration.
For Peter, I am sure it was good to be having a mountain top experience with Jesus, Moses, and Elijah. But, to me, when he said “Lord, it is good that we are here,” it is one of his profound statements of faith. It was his way of saying, “Lord, it is good that we are created.”
As a side note, the Transfiguration is one of three times when Jesus takes Peter, James, and John off by themselves. I often wonder why He only took one set of brothers and if Andrew felt left out. But, I digress.
Peter’s statement could also be our prayer. We could pray it as in thanksgiving for being created, in thanksgiving for our own mountain top experiences, and as a way to give us encouragement during those times of trials in out lives. When the bills seem to pile up, we can say, “Lord it is good that we are here.” When your co-workers hassle you at the office, you can say, “Lord, it is good that we are here.” When your favorite baseball team wins on Opening Day but loses the two other games of the series, you can say, “Lord, it is good that we are here.”
Then on Sunday, I was sitting in the courtyard watching the fountain before Mass started. I was reflecting on different things, and my final thought of the retreat was, “I’m a dweeb.” But, is good that I am here.