Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord

Today's Mass Readings

Today we celebrate an important feast, namely, the Transfiguration of the Lord. “Transfiguration” refers first and foremost to the event described in today’s gospel passage from Mark, but it is foreshadowed in the first reading from Daniel. Daniel describes visions referring to God. Our knowledge of Jesus in the New Testament enables us to look back at this Old Testament passage and read it Christologically. In other words, we understand the Daniel passage as referring to Jesus. And indeed, when we read the passage from Mark, there are similarities. In Mark Jesus ascended a mountain with Peter, James, and John and became transfigured before their eyes, then joined by Elijah and Moses. We can only imagine the wonder and awe of the three apostles as they saw this amazing sight. Although they certainly knew that this transfigured person was still their friend and teacher Jesus, it was Jesus as they had never experienced him. They knew Jesus had extraordinary healing powers, extraordinary wisdom, and extraordinary compassion, but they had never seen his glory shining forth in this dramatic way. Perhaps this is what they had been dreaming about when Jesus first called them to be his disciples. They had hoped for a kingly leader whose glory was apparent. Now finally they were experiencing his glory first-hand. It’s no surprise that Peter would want to preserve the moment. How wonderful to be amidst the glory of God, to be in the presence of Jesus, Moses, and Elijah in this way! But, alas, Peter, James and John were not permitted to bask in the transfiguration. As today’s passage ends, Jesus is instructing them not to tell anyone about this until he has risen from the dead. The disciples were uncertain as to what this meant… was the Christ, once seen in all this glory, going to die?

Of course, we know the answer to this question. Jesus suffered, died, and was buried. But he also rose again from the dead. In the end, life overcomes death, glory overshadows suffering. Peter knew this when he composed the second letter which serves as our second reading today. Following Jesus’ instructions, Peter proclaims Jesus’ glory, so that Jesus’ resurrection is connected with his transfiguration.

When we consider this event 2000 years later, we should be just as impressed by the transfiguration as was Peter. This Jesus whom we worship is no mere mortal: he is both human and divine. He reigns from the cross; his glory is revealed in his suffering; his kingship is confirmed in his resurrection from the dead.

We are called to share in this glory of God. Like Peter, James, and John, we are onlookers in this transfiguration. But like Peter, James, and John, we do not merely sit still and bask in the glory of God. We must become ever better disciples who commit our lives to witnessing to the gospel message as Peter does in the second reading. This is a journey of discipleship, and it will not always have the glamour and awe of the transfiguration. Often it will contain suffering and sacrifice. But we are able to share each day in the glory of God by acknowledging him as king and continuing our earthly journey toward our final end in heaven. Then we will finally see Jesus in all his glory.

Let us take some time today to reflect on the transfiguration, especially in relation to the resurrection and our own final end in God. Let us pray that we may live lives open to God’s grace to make us worthy of sharing in his glory.

- Maria Morrow