Whenever we read the Word, we must strive to do so from a new perspective so that the dust of monotony does not diminish the brilliance of Jesus’ words.
It gives the impression that, in the scene of the Transfiguration, Peter and his companions sense that Jesus’ proposal will have a dangerous drift in Jerusalem (as it did). And that is why they say “HOW GOOD IT IS TO BE HERE!” That is to say: let us not go to Jerusalem, let us remain in the light of this mountain, let us not complicate our lives. They do not want to leave what we now call the comfort zone.
The comfort zone is that state in which one feels safe and comfortable with the danger of living in routine, of stagnating, of not worrying about what happens outside. If this continues for too long, there is a risk of generating negative consequences such as loss of motivation, apathy, monotony, and wear and tear.
Perhaps we live the faith in a comfort zone, without jolts, without great problems, fulfilling a routine from which no one takes us because we want to be quiet. When someone tries to move us from there, we say like Peter: we are fine as it is, don’t bother us. That’s it. We are calm with our idea of a distant God, with our devotions that commit little, with our faith that doesn’t attract attention. A faith in the irrelevance of the comfort zone.
Can something be done? Are we even willing to consider the possibility of living the faith outside our comfort zone? Let’s give some clue:
· Don’t let yourself be carried away by a routine faith: don’t pray mechanically, don’t repeat traditions just because it has always been done that way, don’t make a banner of religious customs that are insignificant to the faith (ashes, fasts, blessings, etc.).
· Cultivate your faith: read the Gospel of the day every day, consider joining a reflection group in your parish, read a book on spirituality.
· Participate in some volunteer work: if your personal situation allows it, approach a Christian or humanist group where you can contribute something of your time. It’s not that difficult.
It turns out that, sometimes, faith has left us too complacent. However, it must be said that Jesus’ faith has a certain “troublesome” component, a spur that stimulates. Let us not fear: the gospel does not obligate us to what we cannot, but demands the surrender of the heart. And that is at odds with routine, apathy, and inertia.
There will always be a need to desire that Christian life is outside the comfort zone, that it is alive and up-to-date. But in these times, both in our country and throughout the world, living the faith routinely, as always, is to expose that faith to drying up and dying. Pope Leo speaks many times that we must be today “helpless and disarming witnesses of the peace that comes from Christ.” That will be impossible with a dormant faith. Let us not be afraid to step out of our comfort zone. The fruits will be very positive.
Fidel Aizpurúa Donazar
March 1, 2026
English version translated with AI