 The Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord, celebrated liturgically on August 6, “reveals the fullness of the life destined to be ours.” (Magnificat Publication) This description is accurate as the glory of God in the Trinity was clearly manifested during the Transfiguration, providing a beacon of encouragement for the apostles present. The Gospel that is proclaimed at that Mass was from Luke, and while all of the synoptic Gospel writers recount it, Luke emphasized that the end of Jesus’ ministry is nearing: during the event, Elijah and Moses spoke of “His exodus that He was going to accomplish in Jerusalem,” and therefore Jesus “resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem….” (Luke 9:31;51) We are meant to see that the Transfiguration marked a turning point in Jesus’ ministry and consequently He began preparing to bring it to a conclusion. Strangely, however, at the end of the experience, the Father specifically addressed a message to the three apostles who were there, Peter, James, and John: “This is my chosen Son, listen to Him.” Had not Peter already declared aloud that Jesus was the Son of God? (Luke 9:20) Were these closest friends of Jesus not already listening to Him? Or perhaps it was that the Father was warning them about the trials that lay ahead. Whatever it was, we would be wise to heed the Father’s advice to listen to Jesus especially when we are challenged.  The Transfiguration, like His baptism, was of major significance in the ministry of Jesus. We must also note that these events are the only times in the Scriptures in which the entire Trinity is revealed and manifested together. Both times, Jesus (the Son) is presented, the voice of the Father is heard by witnesses, and the Holy Spirit is seen as a dove descending in the former, and in the cloud which descends in the latter.* Also, after both events a major change in the life of Jesus occurs. The Baptism of Jesus is the transition point from His hidden life to public ministry; it was the occasion at which the Father revealed that Jesus possessed His authority.** Therefore, the Baptism was the inauguration of what Jesus came to do, and so Jesus’ life changed dramatically in order to do His work. At the Transfiguration, the ‘resolute determination’ of Jesus to journey toward Jerusalem for ‘His exodus’ is evidence of another major turning point. That is, in Jerusalem He will enter into the events that lead to His Passion, death, and Resurrection which liberate us from sin and death.  At the Transfiguration event the Father again spoke, but this time the emphasis was on listening to Jesus. It wasn’t that God had forgotten that Peter already had recognized Jesus was His Son or that He thought none of them were truly paying attention; after all, Jesus had handpicked all His apostles after praying to the Father. And in this case, He had selected Peter, James, and John specifically to go up Mt. Tabor with Him, a choice that evidences His belief in their commitment, good intentions, and love. No, God said to listen (to Jesus) because what they witnessed would be important to them later, though they could not fully understand at the time. Jesus would continue to instruct them right up until His arrest, and therefore, they needed to listen so that after all was accomplished, what they had witnessed as well as what He said, would guide them into the future. Unbeknownst to them at the time, all of it would provide deeper understanding in order to evangelize with wisdom and instill courage under persecution.***  It would be good to ponder the Transfiguration moments in our life. In utilizing our memory, we can look with gratitude at the ways in which God has worked in our lives, especially if we are in a time of challenge or are in great need presently. We remember, and thus claim now, that though His glory is not seen at the moment, not only is God with us in our labors, but we are surrounded by it. We are reminded of how God spoke in our heart or worked with us through His grace. Indeed, we live in a time in which our morals, values, and Christian way of living God’s love are continually under attack. (Of course, this has always been true, though it seems to have ramped up in recent years.) Therefore, heeding the Father’s message about listening to Jesus is incredibly important and prudent. With temptations coming from many voices seeking our attention and so many trends seeking our adherence, we would do well to listen to the voice of Jesus and none other.  'Going up the mountain’ in which we are in the presence of the glory of God is as important for us as it was for the three apostles. But even they could not stay there in that moment. As glorious as it was, it proved to be temporary as they had to come back down the mountain into a turbulent reality. But by listening, they eventually learned that what awaited them at the end of their mission was to be surrounded by the glory of God forever, that is, to enter into the life destined to be ours. We, too, can do this if we trust Him. Jesus will give us what we need if we listen and draw courage from Him. We do not need to understand now, but we will at the end. (1 Corinthians 13:8-13). Let us ponder the glory of God that He might “reveal the fullness of the life destined to be ours.”  May we always look to Jesus and study His words in the Gospels! May we pay attention to our call, listening to God and trusting in Him! And may we reflect upon how God’s glory has been present in salvation history, striving for the “fullness of the life destined to be ours!” Let us meet in the Heart of Jesus! Peace!
©Michele L. Catanese * Both the dove and the cloud are signs of the presence of the Holy Spirit, as well as wind, fire, and bright light. Remember how Moses’ face shone so radiantly after being in God’s presence that he had to veil his face. The light of holiness is also what is symbolized in the nimbus (halo) that is painted around saints, and which is sometimes visible at moments in some of the saints’ lives! ** There is so much more to the Baptism of Jesus, of course, but I am highlighting this one area. Jesus had no need of Baptism as a cleansing from sin, since He was without sin. But He did it for us to have understanding of it as an entrance into a new relationship with God as adopted sons and daughters, as a cleansing of original sin, as the promise of salvation, and as the start of our lives in the Body of Christ. *** Remember, the Transfiguration prefigures the Resurrection: at the Transfiguration the glory of Jesus as divine, sharing the glory of the Father, is a revelation that occurs in a temporary event, foreshadowing the glory to come. The Resurrection, on the other hand, is for all time. The apostles would understand all these things better after Jesus resurrected, ascended, and the Holy Spirit came upon them. We are called to share in that glory. Images: 1. Painting; The Transfiguration by Duccio Duccio di Buoninsegna. 2. My photo: Lost Maples Natural Area, Vanderpool, TX. 3. My photo; Church of the Transfiguration, Mt. Tabor, Israel. 4. Image; Viriditas Triptych by Fr. William Hart McNichols. If you are interested in purchasing a copy this can be found at fineartamerica.com/featured/viriditas-triptych-william-hart-mcnichols.html 5. My photo; from atop Sandias Mts., near Albuquerque, New Mexico. 6. Painting; Trinity by Taddeo Crivelli, (1460-1470) J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles, CA. Note: In compliance with GDPR rules, I wish to make it clear that I do not gather any information on any of my readers at any time. Comments are closed.
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