Transfiguration of Our Lord
More Than Natural
Brethren, today we celebrate the feast of the transfiguration of our Lord Jesus Christ, a scene where he showed the three Apostles, Peter, James and John that he is far beyond more than natural but also divine. The transfiguration comes after Jesus had made known to his disciples about the passion he was about to go through. Jesus teaches them another lesson through his transfiguration showing him the glory that will come out of his suffering and resurrection.
Transfiguration not only reveals to us the glory of God but also the mystery of Jesus and what is entailed in the mystery. The three witnesses were speechless; they knew what they saw but couldn’t understand it clearly. Seeing does not imply understanding. Pope Benedict said “If, looking at the mystery, reason sees darkness, it is not because there is no light in the mystery, but rather because there is too much of it. Just as when humans raise their eyes to look at the sun, they are blinded; but who would say that the sun is not bright or indeed, the fount of light?” (General Audience, November 21, 2012). Our reason needs assistance to understand what exceeds human realities: the world of grace, that's why we need the Holy Spirit to always enlighten us and reveal to us who Jesus is. Faith is a very powerful tool here.
What the apostles could not understand by themselves, the Holy Spirit overshadowed and revealed to them: “Then a cloud came, casting a shadow over them; then from the cloud came a voice, ‘This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.’” We need a light that strengthens our reason to reach heights and depths that on its own it cannot. Faith is a gift from the Holy Spirit. Pope Benedict said, “God, with his grace, illuminates reason, unfolds new horizons before it, boundless and infinite. For this reason, faith is an incentive to seek always, never to stop and never to be content in the inexhaustible search for truth and reality” (General Audience, November 21, 2012). With the help of the Holy Spirit, the mystery is more understandable. Jesus is the Son of God, God the Father’s beloved. We must listen to him.
With faith and the Holy Spirit to understand Jesus as more than natural, and accept him with all the sufferings included, we become transformed like him at the transfiguration experience. Origen (185-254 AD), an early church Scripture scholar and writer, describes how we are changed and transformed into Christ's likeness as we look to him day by day with faith and honesty and strive to walk according to the light of his truth and righteousness (moral goodness): "When he is transfigured, his face also shines as the sun that he may be manifested to the children of light who have put off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light, and are no longer the children of darkness or night but have become the sons of day, and walk honestly as in the day. Being manifest, he will shine unto them not simply as the sun, but as demonstrated to be the sun of righteousness." [Commentary on Matthew 12:37 by Origen]
Luke's Gospel account tells us that while Jesus was transfigured, Peter, James, and John were asleep (Luke 9:32)! Upon awakening they discovered Jesus in glory along with Moses and Elijah. How much do we miss God's glory and action because we are asleep spiritually? There are many things which can keep our minds asleep to the things of God: Mental lethargy and the "unexamined life" can keep us from thinking things through and facing our doubts and questions. The life of ease can also hinder us from considering the challenging or disturbing demands of Christ. Prejudice can make us blind to something new the Lord may have for us. Even sorrow can be a block until we can see past it to the glory of God.
Are you spiritually awake? Peter, James, and John were privileged witnesses of the glory of Christ. We, too, as disciples of Christ are called to be witnesses of his glory. We all, with unveiled faces, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being changed into his likeness from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:18). The Lord wants to reveal his glory to us, his beloved disciples. Do you seek his presence with faith and reverence?
Let us Pray
Lord God, it is good that I am here with you. I will listen to your beloved Son and follow him. I believe that he rose from the dead, sits at your right hand, and will come again in glory to judge all the living and the dead. He is the King over all creation, and I am a member of your Kingdom. By your radiant splendor cleanse me from the stains of sin. May I be transformed into your likeness and listen attentively to your word. Help me to know how good it is to be in your presence.
Be blessed
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