Aug 5, 2010

The Feast of the Transfiguration

Daniel 7: 9-10
2 Peter 1: 16-19
Luke 9: 28-36

Have you ever been surprised by someone you thought you knew very well? You learn something new about them, they express an opinion that is out of their normal character, you meet a past friend of theirs who offers a different perspective on them and you find yourself viewing this person in a new light. Hopefully, what you learn about them is positive in nature. But, even if it isn’t, we have no right to judge another person for a past mistake they have made. Matthew 7 and Luke 6:42 stand as an ever present reminder about not judging our brother/sister. Breaking the law, living a scandalous life, or endangering another is another issue and should never be tolerated but in the general scheme of things, none of us are without fault and sin. People do change for the better many times.

In the case of this Friday's beautiful Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord, three chosen Apostles, Peter, James and John, learn a great deal more about Jesus. We might say that it has to do with a scandal – the scandal of the Cross upon which he will be sacrificed. What these three Apostles learn is what they may have suspected on some level. In the Gospel of Luke 9: 28 – 36, we hear of this strange, mysterious, and awe inspiring event. What did they learn about Jesus? His true identity; a surprise beyond ordinary human experience and something for which they were not prepared but were struck with fear and wonder.

Upon a mountain top, perhaps Mt. Tabor in central Israel, Jesus’, “. . . face changed in appearance and his clothing became dazzling white. And behold two men were conversing with him, Moses, (the law giver,) and Elijah, (the greatest of the Prophets of Israel) . . .” Lk 9: 29.

This was not about a little razzle dazzle for these Apostles but rather a new understanding; or a confirmation of what they may have pondered in their daily interaction with Jesus. That Jesus is not just a simple person, a wise teacher, a man of virtue called to reform, or the leader of some new life-style, or a miracle worker with great charisma. He is neither a Prophet of old return or even a Saint. He is the living, eternal, and true Word of the living God – as St. Peter himself, inspired by the Holy Spirit, had proclaimed not long before this event.

In this experience, beyond human words to describe, Jesus joins this revelation of his divine nature, links it to the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets, and prepares his Apostles for the coming scandal of his suffering and death. It seems that not even the resurrection appearances of the Lord were filled with such a display of power and majesty as these men witnessed upon that mountaintop. It didn’t last very long, apparently, perhaps just a few minutes but long enough to leave an indelible memory upon them.

The second reading for this Feast, 2 Peter 1: 16-19, finds Peter reflecting on this experience when he states, “. . . we had been eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received honor and glory from God the Father when that unique declaration came to him from the majestic glory, ‘This is my Son, my beloved, with whom I am well pleased . . .’”

As the voice of the Father spoke upon the waters of Jesus’ baptism, the same words heard on that mountain, so too do we proclaim in our Creed, “God from God, light from light, true God from true God!”

The Feast of the Transfiguration might be a moment of grace to allow ourselves to be “transfigured,” shaped, molded, conformed more into the image of this Son of God. May we not seek God only on the mountaintop but in the valley of our lives below where he is waiting to greet us.

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