THE TRANSFIGURATION

II SUNDAY OF LENT - Luke 9:28-36

On the mountain, while praying, Jesus was transfigured, revealing himself before Peter, James and John in his glorious body.

In the book of Exodus, we are told that coming down from Mount Sinai, Moses had a shining face. He had to cover his face with a veil, because “they were afraid to come near him” (Ex 34:29-35). The brightness on Moses’ face was but a reflection of God’s glory. 

Jesus, being the Son of God, is the light, a light that is hidden under the veil of his body. However, in the transfiguration, the apostles were able to see through his body the radiance of his glory. Jesus’ transfiguration is the pre-announcement and the promise of our transfiguration. In his letter to the Philippians, Paul wrote that Jesus “will transfigure these wretched bodies of ours into copies of his glorious body” (Phil 3:21). We are called and we are promised to be transfigured in Jesus’ manner. For us to reach that glory, we must follow Jesus’ path - a path that goes suffering and death on the cross. Moses and Elijah - that is the Law and Prophets - point to that, but the disciples and the people, in general, could not understand that. How could they accept a suffering Messiah? All their hope was in a Messiah full of power and earthly glory, which they would share. They expected an earthly reward for being followers of Jesus. It is not surprising that, while Moses and Elijah “were speaking of his passing”, the three apostles “were heavy with sleep”. They made an effort to keep awake and were able to see Jesus’ glory. He was thrilled with the vision and expressed his profound desire to remain there: “Master, it is wonderful for us to be here.” Before such a statement, Luke concludes: “He did not know what he was saying.” Here, on earth, we cannot have but passing moments of contemplation. “Our homeland is in heaven” (Phil 3:20) and the way to reach there is full of difficulties. For that, we must obey God’s commandment: “This is my Son, the Chosen One. Listen to him.” Indeed, being the Word, Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life (Jn 14:6).