To read the texts click on the texts: Dn 7:9-10,13-14; 2 Peter 1:16-19; Mt 17:1-9
The Transfiguration of Jesus is an
event narrated by all three Synoptic Gospels. This scene in Matthew makes three
major points. The first is the revelation of who Jesus is; the second is the
foreshadowing of his death, resurrection, and exaltation into heaven; the third
is the training of the disciples, and each of us, about the meaning of the
whole Christ event.
Peter, James and John realized on
the mountain that they were dealing with a reality that reached beyond human
experience. They were dealing here, not merely with a social reformer or a
political visionary; they were dealing with a man who had a unique relationship
with God. The intensity of that relation was obvious to all on the mountain.
However, not only were they
permitted to experience a new dimension of Jesus, but they also hear a voice
from heaven that applies that dimension to them: "This is my chosen Son;
listen to Him." The implication is that anyone who forms a relationship
with God's Son will one day share in the transfiguration of God's Son. The good
news is good news for the whole human race, not reserved for the elite few. So
the apostles had to come down from the mountain with Jesus. As much as they may
have wanted, they could not stay there.
The Transfiguration of Jesus on the
mountain confirms that Jesus was in the presence of God. It also serves to
clarify that Jesus is, indeed, God’s Son. While Moses and Elijah, who appear
with Jesus on the mountain, might represent the Law and the Prophets, they are
also mentioned because of the actions they performed. Like Moses, who parted
the sea on the command of God, and who fed the multitude in the desert with
manna from heaven, Jesus calms the storm and feeds the five thousand with
bread. Like Elijah, who multiplied loaves, cleansed a leper, and raised the
dead, Jesus does the same, and even more.
Only in Luke are we given the content of the discussion that Moses and
Elijah have with Jesus. They are discussing his exodus from this world to the
next. They are discussing his departure.
Though Peter and his companions,
John and James, witness the event, they do not know what to make of it. Peter, however, wants to remain there and
commemorate the place. He wants to remain in the past. Jesus knows that he
cannot remain on the mountain, tempting as that might be. He knows what he has to do and he will let no
one come in the way. He has to come down
and go to the Cross. That Jesus is, indeed, confirmed in this is manifested by
the voice from the clouds which, in words similar to those used at the Baptism,
affirms Jesus as Son and slave. Jesus is
both at the same time. He is Son of God and he is Suffering Servant. He will, through his death, bring salvation
to all. He is the fulfilment of all the hopes, not only of Israel but, of the
whole world. He supersedes both Moses and Elijah. They are no longer needed now
that Jesus has come.
This time, unlike at the time of
the Baptism, the voice from the clouds adds, “Listen to him”. This command
endorses and confirms Jesus’ interpretation of the future course of events that
will take place in his life, namely, his death, resurrection, and ascension.
God approves of Jesus’ orientation and wants the disciples to realise that this
is the only way. Thus, they cannot remain on the mountain. They cannot freeze the event and stay there.
They have to go down with Jesus and let him go to where the Cross awaits him.
The Transfiguration is an event
which encapsulates the whole Christ event. It is here that we see his entire
life, ministry, death, resurrection, and ascension unfold. It is a summary of
what was, what is, and what will be. Thus, the Transfiguration emphasizes that
God has been revealed through Jesus and that the essence of Jesus’ identity and
work cannot be understood apart from the cross and resurrection. Only in the
light of the cross and resurrection do we understand the character of God and
the significance of Jesus.
The Transfiguration also serves to
emphasize that, though God will seem hidden at the passion and death of Jesus,
and though Jesus might seem defeated, things are not as they seem. Rather, God
is as present at the passion and death of Jesus as he was at the
Transfiguration. Jesus is as victorious in his passion and death as he was in
his Transfiguration.
The readings of today teach us an
all important lesson. There are times in our lives when things do not go the
way we plan, when all that we plan goes awry, when the road seems steep and the
going is difficult, when every step that we take is laboured and arduous, when
we cannot see or understand and, when we feel like giving up and giving in. It
is at times like these that we, like Peter, wish we had stayed on the mountain.
It is at times like these when we might like some tangible proof, some sign.
Yet, the Transfiguration of Jesus teaches that God continues to walk ahead of
us and, though we may not be able to see him as clearly as we would like, God
is there.
We must be able, like Christ, to
look beyond and not be weighed down by the trials and tribulations of the
world. It means that we must continue to have faith and trust at all times
since trials and tribulations are always temporary and passing. What is
permanent is God’s unconditional love, manifested in his Son, Jesus Christ. Our
confidence is not in our ability to overcome the challenges that come our way,
but in God’s grace that we constantly receive in, and through, Jesus Christ.
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