Today is the feast of the transfiguration of Jesus. This is an awesome event in the life of Christ, together with His three disciples who were privileged to be there that day and to experience the events that transpired. Jesus took Peter, James and John to a high mountain and “was transfigured before them.” The event is clarified a bit when His clothing became “dazzling white. Not only that, but Jesus is also joined by Moses and Elijah who were “conversing” with him.
Today’s readings speak of the Transfiguration of our Lord; they connote Jesus’ divinity and reveal to the disciples God’s glory. We take this seriously in our reflection that while He was praying, this was an invitation for His disciples to prayer. It really speaks about Jesus’ willingness that His disciples would pray with Him, an invitation to be in union with God.
Maybe in awe and bewilderment, Peter told Jesus, “Lord it is good that we are here,” and he wants to build “three tents” for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah. Then, even more magnificent is the voice of the Father, “This is my beloved chosen Son, listen to him.” These words of the Father are for His disciples to abide by His words and for them to listen to Jesus. For us, as we contemplate this scene filled with images of awe and promise, transfiguration itself is just a brief moment in Jesus’ and the disciples’ lives. It seems to be a kind of preview of coming attractions, but for now there is much to be done and an urgency to get to the task.
Like the disciples, we are encouraged to stay on the journey with Jesus and to keep our focus squarely on Him as the events of Christ’s life move towards their fulfillment in God’s design to enter Jerusalem. Like them we will waver, but the more we keep our gaze on Him, the more we make ourselves open to following in His steps to face the darkness of the world with the brightness of the glory of God.
Today, Jesus is inviting us to continue our journey with Him which will lead us to the preparation of our journey. This feast of the transfiguration gives way to the reality of the goal: to accept Christ’s Paschal mystery, His death and resurrection. The momentary gives way to the permanency in the sense that for Jesus the bright-white glory, that is actually His, will shine through finally and forever as He gives Himself over to God’s will.
May we use this moment to increase our faith in Jesus as we sort out what is happening in our own lives. May we all be willing to rest in the Lord, because He possesses God in His heart, and be transformed into His divine image.
God bless you.
Fr. Arlon, osa
