LISTEN TO HIM

XVIII SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME - Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord - Matthew 17:1-9

In his second letter, Peter makes it clear that he is giving witness to what he saw and heard. What he says is not a fruit of any kind of dreaming or of “any cleverly invented myths”. He is speaking of someone whom he lived with and by whom he was touched deeply. And he was not alone; he was with his companions who heard the voice from heaven which said: “‘This is my Son, the Beloved; he enjoys my favour.’ We heard this ourselves, spoken from heaven, when we were with him on the holy mountain.” It was this experience that led them to read the Scriptures as speaking of Jesus, the Messiah: “So we have confirmation of what was said in prophecies” (2 Peter 1:16-19).

In connection with the Transfiguration of the Lord, in the first reading, we hear Daniel speak of his vision of the Son of man, who presents himself before the throne of the “one of great age” to receive “sovereignty, glory and kingship”. His kingdom will be a universal kingdom “and men of all peoples, nations and languages became his servants.” His empire will never be destroyed.” (Dan 7:9-10,13-14).

Jesus presented himself as the Son of man and when Caiaphas asked him about his claims to be the Messiah, he answered: “You will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven” (Mt 26:64). Jesus took for himself the role of the son of man announced by the prophet Daniel. It is about him that the Father says: “This is my Son, the Beloved; he enjoys my favour. Listen to him.” In these words, the Father reveals the Son and, while doing so, commanded the disciples to listen to him. While Jesus’ glory was being manifested, “Moses and Elijah appeared to them; they were talking with him.” They did not appear for the sake of Jesus, since they appeared to them (the disciples) as an indication that the Law (Moses) and the Prophets (Elijah) speak of Christ and lead us to Christ.

The revelation of Jesus’ glory was so fulfilling to the apostles and filled them with such joy that they fell into ecstasy. They forgot about time and place and themselves, being filled with the desire of remaining there forever: “It is wonderful for us to be here”.

Speaking about the resurrection, Paul writes our bodies will be transformed in the manner of the glorious body of Jesus Christ (Phil 3:21). If Peter, still in his earthly body, felt such joy in contemplating Jesus’ glory, how much greater will be our joy when our bodies will be glorified like the body of Christ. For that to happen, we must obey God’s commandment: Listen to him.