After six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, conversing with him.
Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tent here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud cast a shadow over them,* then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him. When the disciples heard this, they fell prostrate and were very much afraid.
But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and do not be afraid.”And when the disciples raised their eyes, they saw no one else but Jesus alone. As they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, “Do not tell the vision* to anyone until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”
Then the disciples asked him, “Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?”He said in reply “Elijah will indeed come and restore all things; but I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him but did to him whatever they pleased. So also will the Son of Man suffer at their hands.” Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist. Matthew 17:1-13
BACKGROUND
On August 6th, we celebrate the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord on Mount Tabor. In this extraordinary event, found in the Synoptic Gospels and the 2nd Letter of St. Peter, Jesus is transfigured in the presence of Peter, James, and John. The evangelists, Matthew, Mark, and Luke record that our Lord’s face shone like the sun and that his clothes became white as light. Moses and Elijah appears to them and conversed with Christ.
To fully comprehend the importance of this event, it is helpful to understand the context. In Caesarea Philippi, (six days before Transfiguration on Mount Tabor) Jesus asks them: “Who do you say that I am?” Peter responds that Jesus is “The Messiah, the Son of the living God” (Mt 16:16). Jesus acknowledges that Peter’s response could only be prompted by the Father and designates Peter as the leader of the Church. “you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church,”
Next, Jesus astounds those present, saying he will soon go to Jerusalem where he will be killed and then rise on the third day. His followers couldn’t grasp that such events could possibly happen if he was truly the Messiah. In fact, Peter argues, “No such thing could ever happen to you.” Jesus offers a stern response: “Get behind me, Satan!(def. adversary) You are an obstacle to me. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do” (Mathew 16:22-23).
Some six days after the discussions at Caesarea Philippi, Jesus furnishes clarification of his words to three of the apostles, Peter, James, and John during the miracle of the Transfiguration. The apostles are awestruck by this scene, and Peter wants to build three tents (tabernacles), one each for Jesus, Moses and Elijah (cf. Mt 17:4).
Peter is ready to stay in this beautiful place, but he and the others must go back down the mountain. Glory awaits Him and us if he stays the path, deny himself, picks up his cross and follows Jesus.(Mt. 16:24)
This is not unlike the soldier who goes on R&R from a combat zone. He enjoys, even relishes his time away from combat, but he has to go back. The victory still has to be won; sacrifices still have to be made.
A GLIMPSE OF GLORY
THIS IS MY BELOVED SON WITH WHOM I AM WELL PLEASED
MATTHEW 17:5
REFLECTION
On a mountain, for a brief time, the splendor of Christ’s eternal divinity is revealed. The apostles witness how Jesus will appear in heaven and we too, as followers of Christ, will share in his glory. His passion was not the end, so too our suffering, our death. is not the end.
Both before and after the Transfiguration, Jesus told the disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and die at the hands of the elders, saying, “The Son of Man is to be handed over to men, and they will kill him, and he will be raised on the third day.” Matthew 17:22-23.
The three disciples who saw the glorified Lord were given a vision meant to strengthen them for the difficult days ahead when Jesus would be arrested and crucified. It is a foretaste of the glory that will be theirs in the Kingdom of God. This moment, forever embedded in their minds, will help them to endure the passion, crucifixion and death of Jesus.
Let us reflect back on the times in which we have caught a subtle glimpse of the glory of our Lord. Perhaps while reading Scripture where we have encountered the majesty of God. Or perhaps moments that occurred at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass or in our adoration of the Blessed Sacrament during Holy Hour.
Let the Glory of God wash over us and fill us with fortitude to endure present difficulties in order to share in that Glory one day. Simply enjoy His presence and peace. Be thankful day and night, for the Lord is good, his mercy endures forever.
RISE AND DO NOT BE AFRAID
The way of suffering and glory intertwined is part of what we gain from celebrating this feast. It invites us to ascend the mountain with those disciples, to tremble with them at the awesome reality of God’s glory in Jesus, The disciples fall prostrate and are very much afraid. and to hear the words of comfort from Jesus, to rise and not to be afraid.
We celebrate the Transfiguration not only for the picture it paints of our glorified Lord, but for what it shows us about how we can be changed. We don’t have to be stuck in the muck. Trust in Jesus!
The voice of God the Father from the cloud hearkens back to the cloud that guided the Israelites during their journey to the Promised Land. Jesus is the fulfillment of the Law. Jesus is the New Moses. Elijah paved the way for Christ, announcing His coming, the true God among the pagans of his time. Christ fulfills what the prophets foretold of the Messiah.
POST-SCRIPT
JESUS WELCOMES US INTO HIS GLORY
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth…. a holy city, a New Jerusalem, coming down from God…,
I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, God’s dwelling is with the human race.
He will dwell with them and they will be his people and God himself will always be with them as their God..
He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there shall be no more death or mourning, wailing or pain…
REVELATION 21:1-4
PRAYER (PSALM 27)
The LORD is my light and my salvation;
whom should I fear?
The LORD is my life’s refuge;
of whom should I be afraid?….
Though an army encamp against me,
my heart does not fear;
Though war be waged against me,
even then do I trust.
One thing I ask of the LORD;
this I seek:To dwell in the LORD’s house
all the days of my life,To gaze on the LORD’s beauty, to visit his temple
Hear my voice, LORD, when I call;
have mercy on me and answer me.
“Come,” says my heart, “seek his face”
LORD, Do not hide your face from me;
do not repel your servant in anger.
You are my salvation; do not cast me off;
do not forsake me, God my savior!….
Wait for the LORD, take courage;
be stouthearted, wait for the LORD!