Mt. 17:1-9
Today we celebrate the feast of the transfiguration of the Lord. This feast invites us to reflect on the transformation that Jesus underwent. Before reflecting on the transformation, let us reflect on some of the essential details of this event. The disciples of his inner circle, namely Peter, John, and James, were with Jesus. In the book of Exodus, we see that when Moses goes to receive the commandment and comes back, his face reflects a share of divine glory. Here we see Jesus face, but also his clothes, which shone like the sun. It manifests Jesus on glory. Today’s first reading taken from the book of Daniel presents to us the appearance of the Son of man in these words: “As I watched, thrones were set in place, and an Ancient One took his throne; his clothing was white as snow and the hair of his head like pure wool.” (Deut. 7:9) There are many prophets and teachers who came from God, but there is no record of anyone going back to God other than Elijah and Enoch. Here is Jesus, who has come from God and will return to his Abba after his redemptive mission. In today’s second reading, we see, having witnessed this divine appearance of Christ Peter says, “For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we had been eyewitnesses of his majesty.” (2 Pet. 1:16) The two pivotal figures of the Old Testament, Moses, the lawgiver, and Elijah, the prophet par excellence, appear to Jesus. There was a belief among the people of Israel that a prophet like Moses would come again, as would the return of Elijah. We see Jesus, who is the fulfilment of all the laws and prophecies, conversing with Moses and Elijah.
Though Jesus was fully divine and fully human, he came to know his divine identity as much as his human intellect allowed him to. The instances of baptism and transfiguration become significant moments because of these reasons. Moses and Elijah appeared as divine messengers communicating the details of his redemptive mission, which necessarily included his passion, death, and resurrection. At that moment, we see Peter, James, and John being absorbed by this bliss moment and telling Jesus to be here forever and expressing their willingness to make a tent for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah. At that juncture, we see a bright cloud overshadowing the tent of meeting in the book of Exodus. Abba Father revealed and acknowledged the true identity of his only begotten son: “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased. It was a theophany, and the disciples fell on their faces because they were terrified by the magnificent experience that they had. Peter acknowledges the same in his second letter: “We ourselves heard this voice come from heaven, while we were with him on the holy mountain.” (2 Pet. 1:18)
Now let us reflect on the transformation that Jesus had through this experience. Jesus accepted the Will of his Abba Father wholeheartedly. Jesus started to share his passion prediction with his disciples after this experience about what would happen to him in Jerusalem. Jesus realised that he abandoned all his divine majesty and became man to redeem humanity and assist them in entering into the same glory that he enjoys from eternity. He did not want to prolong those divine moments at Mount Tabor until he accomplished his mission of redemption. As we reflect on this gospel passage, let us be aware that we all need to undergo transformational experiences like Jesus did. We need to surrender ourselves and accept Abba Father’s will to enter into his divine glory. Like disciples, let us stay with the Lord so that his Eucharistic presence may strengthen us to accept Abba Father’s will, transform us, and assist us in growing into the stature of his beloved sons and daughters.