In the Gospel Jesus took Peter, James and John up a high mountain and they grasped a glimpse of the magnificence of Jesus transfigured, a precursor of the glory to come. This occurred as Jesus was on his way to crucifixion, death and resurrection which we remember on Good Friday and Easter Sunday. They occurred after the Transfiguration experience. One scholar notes that the Transfiguration in a way depicts those two events in reverse, the glory of the risen Lord to come is manifested before the persecution the Apostles would face, most of whom died martyr’s death. Both bold messages of hope centered in Jesus Christ God and man.
Matthew records that the face of Jesus shown like the sun and his clothes became white as light. Another gospel uses the word dazzling white. Jesus was standing with the icons of the Jewish faith, Moses the lawgiver and Elijah the prophet.
Then in an awe inspiring way, out of a cloud came the voice of God the Father: “This is my beloved son with whom I am well pleased, listen to him.” Peter attests the truth of this in the 2nd reading. Jesus then reassured the three, ‘rise up, be not afraid.” Of special note is that when he said this Jesus was alone. Moses and Elijah were gone. The teaching is clear: Jesus alone is enough if we listen to him.
Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI wrote: “The Transfiguration reminds us that the joys sown by God in life are not finishing lines; rather they are lights he gives us during our earthly pilgrimage in order that “Jesus alone” may be our law and his word the criterion that directs our existence.”
The first reading from Daniel foresees the glory that is the risen Lord in the midst of persecution. The Jewish community was being persecuted by the Greeks: either convert and worship our pagan gods or be put to death. What happened thousands of years ago is happening in our world today especially in Middle East. Daniel prophesied the coming of one like the son of man, a title Jesus referred to himself as, whose kingdom would never be destroyed. Like the vision on the mountaintop Daniel’s message was an encouragement to face the challenges of life with hope.
Most of us have had moments when we felt close to Jesus as the three apostles did on the mountain. Peter, James and John now carried the memory of that special time as they journeyed with Jesus to Jerusalem and His Passion and death and their own.
We all also have moments of doubt and fear and wonderment as Scripture tells us the Apostles did along their way. Some days it seems like we can barely tread water as the moral and economic and natural tides flow against us. Some of you today are dealing with deteriorating health or the loss of a loved one or fear of uncertainty or loneliness. Recall the glory of Easter and of the Transfiguration reassured that his is a kingdom that will never end.
The fact is that there are transfiguration moments all around us every day that can give us hope. Seemingly small acts of kindness or honesty or caring can be transfiguration experiences. Saint Mother Teresa wrote: “kind words can be short and easy to speak but their echoes are truly endless.” One person told of being in a very difficult time. A friend called and left soothing piano music on her answering service. “It made me feel loved,” she remembered.
A waitress was tired and grumpy. It had been a long day. Just as she sat down to rest another customer walked in. “Whadda ya want,” she said. There was no answer, just a big smile on the man’s face. “Sir, what will you have.” Still smiling the man handed her a pad of paper with the writing, “I’m deaf and I need directions.” So they carried on a conversation in writing. Before leaving he drew a smiley face and wrote, “Your smile is as warm as the sun.” She was uplifted. It was a transfiguration moment.
Surely there is much sin and pain in our world that can get us down. To deal with them we need to go up the mountain ourselves. By this I mean that we ought to take the time to be alone with God. We can become slaves of routine, schedules or the agendas or jabs of others. Inundated by noise and news that often focuses on the bizarre, we can lose track of the calming presence of God in our midst. God the Father said, ‘”this is my beloved son with whom I am well pleased, listen to Him.” He was talking to.us.
There is a beautiful painting of the Transfiguration. It depicts three levels. Above is Christ painted in bright colors raised up in clouds, his face and body dazzling. With a lesser bright hue beneath the Lord is Peter, James and John, representing the one, holy catholic and apostolic Church. At the lower level in darker colors is a family surrounding a sick young boy. One of the disciples is pointing down to the boy. Another disciple is pointing up to Christ. There is a bold contrast between the brightness of Jesus above and the darkness of the sad scene below. The artist perhaps is trying to convey the message that while we need to care for and care about one another through the Church who always leads us to Christ, it is Christ, the beloved Son who is the hope and healer of us all. He alone is enough.
Etched in my mind is the horrifying video of the 21 Coptic Christians standing by the sea in Libya as they were beheaded. Several were seen declaring “Jesus Christ” and “Jesus is Lord” as they shed their blood for him. Jesus alone was enough.
I pray that in the big and little challenges of my life I have the faith to declare Jesus is Lord for me. Let us pray for those persecuted in whatever way and for all those who are in darkness and yearn for a beacon of hope. A personal relationship with Jesus brightens any darkness and offers the hope that will allow us to cope. Let us listen to him.