“This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him.” Matthew 17:1-9.
“No one lives “on Tabor” while on earth.” Pope Benedict.
Transfiguration Sunday is a pivotal point between the end of Epiphanytide and the start of Lent, Holy Week and Easter. There are links with what happened in the Book of Exodus when a cloud fell on Mount Sinai and the glory of the Lord appeared like a fire as the Law was given to Moses and his face had to be veiled as it shone so brightly. The Transfiguration is thought to have happened on Mount Tabor in Lower Galilee with the three disciples Peter, James and John as witnesses according to Jewish tradition. As this happens, Matthew writes that Jesus’ face shines like the sun as his clothes became dazzlingly white – the disciples seem to cope astonishingly well with this and even the appearance of Moses and Elijah, representing the Law and the Prophets, who are talking with Jesus. What were they saying?!
Peter suggests making three booths to mark what is happening, making Moses and Elijah as important as Jesus, but he misunderstands – Jesus is not one of three, rather the One awaited. As Peter says this, a bright light overshadows them and words heard during Jesus’ baptism are echoed with the addition of the voice telling his followers to listen to him. It’s this voice, urging attention to be given to Jesus’ identity and words, that seems to make the disciples fearful and they fall to the ground, to be reassured by Jesus himself. As this astonishing experience ends, he is concerned for them rather than himself as he touches the disciples to reassure them that he is still with them and tells them to get up – meaning to be raised up, just as Jesus will later be raised up at his resurrection. As he tells them not to be afraid and orders them not to speak of this until then, the disciples must have later borne witness to this happening as Matthew, Mark and Luke all write of the Transfiguration although they were not actually present.
The Transfiguration affirms Jesus’ identity for himself and the three disciples at a time of preparation for all that lies ahead. They all then descend from this glorious mountain top experience into the valley, crowds, suffering and questions that await them. As Pope Benedict’s words remind us, we also have to face challenging and sometimes painful reality as well as glory in our daily lives.
“Listen to him” said the voice that was heard by the disciples at the Transfiguration and as Lent approaches, perhaps more time could be spent in listening to Jesus through Scripture, prayer and the events in life that can sometimes threaten to disfigure humanity and faith. At times when we, or others, may be downcast or petrified in the face of what is happening, Jesus can still reach out to us with healing and hope when time is made for this to happen, raising us up to new life as his words speak to us and our situations today as to his witnesses then: “Get up and do not be afraid.”
With my prayers; pob bendith,
Christine, Guardian.