What We Can Learn From the Transfiguration
As we celebrate the feast of the Transfiguration on August 6, we recall the account in Matthew 17 of Jesus going up a mountain with three of his disciples Simon Peter, James and John. There, on Mount Tabor in Galilee, not far from Nazareth, Jesus was transfigured. Fr Simon Mavhiya reflects on what the Transfiguration means to us today.
As Jesus was transfigured, two great personages of the Old Testament appeared to the disciples, conversing with Jesus — Moses and Elijah. Moses represented the Law and Elijah the prophets. This episode confirmed that Jesus had come to fulfil the Law and the prophets (Matthew 5:17).
The Transfiguration took place soon after Peter had confessed that Jesus is the Messiah and the Son of the Living God. That was followed by Jesus’ prediction that he was to suffer, be killed, and be raised on the third day. The reality of the suffering Messiah was not accepted by Peter and others. Jesus went on to tell his disciples that some of them would “not taste death before they could see the Son of man coming in his kingdom” (Matthew 18:28).
The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains that the Transfiguration is a foretaste of Christ’s glorious coming (556). The transfiguration was a preparatory and revelatory event. It confirmed the faith of the disciples and prepared them to face the tragedy of the Cross.
It gave them a hope that was stronger than the discouragement of Gethsemane and the terror of Christ’s Passion. It prefigured the glory of the Resurrection.
Sharing in the glory
By being transfigured in the presence of his disciples, Jesus wanted them to know that they too were to share his glory — the glory which was shared even after he experienced suffering and martyrdom. St Paul assures us that Christ “will change our lowly body to be like his glorious body” (Philippians 3:23). In the celebration of the Holy Eucharist, we encounter Jesus as we listen to his Word and we receive his Body and Blood as we anticipate the heavenly banquet.
St Luke describes the same event of the Transfiguration. In his narrative, Jesus “went up on the mountain to pray” (9:28, and was transfigured when he was talking to his Father. We need to ascend the mountain of prayer in order to enter the presence of God.
Pope Benedict XVI called it the mountain of both inward and outward ascent. By ascending the mountain, one is freed from the pressures of everyday life and breathes fresh air. The mountain is a place where we meet God. We recall Abraham going up the mountain to sacrifice his son Isaac. Moses went up on Mount Sinai to receive the Law. Elijah walked for 40 days and 40 nights in order to meet God at Mount Horeb (1 Kings 19:8).
As we ascend the mountain of prayer, we shall meet God. There we shall be transfigured and receive the light of the Father. Let us contemplate the face of the transfigured Christ, so as to overcome all that discourages us from following him faithfully.
Today, we see and experience the disfigured face of Jesus in many parts of the world, where there is suffering, poverty, war, terrorism and many other scourges. Our mission, then, is to listen to the voice of the beloved Son of God and make him the hope of all the people who are suffering.
The face of Jesus is also disfigured in lives of child-headed families, and in the lives of many young people who are exposed to drugs. Their spiritual, physical and social life is all scarred. Their vision of the glorious face of the risen Christ is impaired. Our mission, as the Church, is to awaken them, to accompany them, and to assist them so that may see once again the glorious face Jesus.
Transfigure the world!
There are many people who are wounded in one way or the other.
Despite these wounds, Christ is glorious and triumphant. Every Christian disciple is called upon to transfigure the world by living a life of the Gospel and the beatitudes. Humanity can be transfigured and look glorious when violence is denounced and justice and peace are promoted.
Together with Peter, we want to say, “Lord, it is wonderful for us to be here” (Matthew 17:4). Filled with joy, Peter wanted to prolong the heavenly experience by suggesting to build three tents: one for Jesus, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.
Our prayer is that it shall be well with every community and to let the face of Christ shine upon every person. Let Christ dwell in the tents of our homes, communities, political groupings and family of nations. May our mother Mary — the mother of the transfigured Christ — intercede for us always.
Fr Simon Mavhiya is the vicar-general of Gweru diocese in Zimbabwe. This article is an edited version of one originally published on imbisa.org.
Published in the August 2023 issue of The Southern Cross magazine
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