And as the men were parting from him, Peter said to Jesus, "Master, it is well that we are here; let us make three booths, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah"—not knowing what he said. Luke 9:33 (RSV)
St. Peter reminds me of one of those friends who often speaks, then thinks about what he should have said. He, James, and John are on the mountain of the Transfiguration. They witnessed the divine glory of Jesus as He spoke with Moses and Elijah. He utters what one of my seminary professors called 'the greatest understatement in the Bible,' it is well that we are here.
In defense of St. Peter, what could one say in light of what they have seen? What would any of us say or do? Perhaps someone would have their phone out and snap a picture. Still, what does one do in the face of divine glory?
St. Peter, James, John, and the rest of us are not ready to behold the fullness of God's holiness. As we are, we could not stand in His presence for an instant. All we could ever bear is a momentary flash of His majesty. Sinful human beings cannot come before God.
Jesus comes down from this mountain to be lifted up on a far more important hill outside the walls of Jerusalem. No one on that day thought it good to be there. On that day, no one wanted to build a shrine. Still, on that day, the barrier between God and humans came down. In three days, all will be able to come to the Father face to face.