We have all had mountaintop experiences, moments we felt God was with us.  God gave them to us for a reason, just as he gave this one to Peter, James, and John for a reason. Jesus knew that his passion, crucifixion, and death were coming up. He knew that those events would shake his followers' faith. He gave them this mountaintop experience of his glory so that later on, when the cross appeared, they could remember it and be strengthened by the memory. Jesus knows that following him is demanding - no one can escape life's crosses. Following his Commandments requires self-mastery and self-sacrifice. He wants to remind us that even those hardships are part of his plan. Today and throughout this week, he wants us to think about our mountaintop experiences, so that we can renew our faith in his goodness, wisdom, and desire to bless us.