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Meditation: Luke 9:28b-36

The Transfiguration of the Lord

“It is good that we are here. (Luke 9:33)”

Put yourself in Peter’s place. God had already revealed to him that Jesus was the Messiah (Luke 9:20). And now he is standing with James and John, watching Jesus’ appearance change before his eyes. Even though he knew in his heart who Jesus is, he must have been stunned to see this transformation. It surely renewed his determination to follow Jesus. Coming down the mountain, he undoubtedly felt that nothing could shake his resolve.

Still, it was only a short time later that Peter abandoned his lofty goal and joined the other disciples in an argument about who was the greatest among them (Luke 9:46-48). And when Jesus’ passion was at hand, Peter denied three times that he even knew the Lord—after protesting that he would follow Jesus even to prison and death (Luke 22:33-34). Peter eventually did become the “rock” on which Jesus built his church, but it certainly didn’t happen overnight!

Isn’t this the story of our lives as well? We have all had times of transfiguration—and perhaps there is no better example of this than receiving Jesus in the Eucharist. For a few moments after communion, we feel consoled by his grace and presence. It seems we are on the mountaintop with him. But when we get back to reality, we find we are still basically the same person. We may be a little more charitable or a little more forgiving. But we still have parts of our lives that need to be converted.

You may call this a depressing thought. But really, it’s a grace! For it’s then we realize how much we need Jesus, and how much more transformation we can still experience. Seeing where we still fall short doesn’t have to drive us away from the Lord. If anything, it should push us closer to him. It should move us to receive him with more hope and more trust in his grace. So the next time you are at Mass, look closely at what you are about to receive. Under the veil of bread and wine, Jesus is there, radiant with his Father’s love. His arms are outstretched ready to embrace you. Come to him—and let him keep changing you!

“Lord, it is good to be with you at Mass. Help me always to stay open to the transforming power of your grace.”

Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14 Psalm 97:1-2, 5-6, 9 2 Peter 1:16-19

THE TRANSFIGURATION OF CHRIST

Today the Church celebrates the “Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord”, and the Gospel reading for Liturgical Year C is Luke 9:28-36.

What a momentous occasion! Peter, James, and John beheld Jesus in His resurrected glory. Gazing into heaven, they saw Moses and Elijah and heard the voice of God. They saw Jesus as He would be after His ascension into heaven. And, in Him, they saw the hope of their own resurrection and transformation.

Jesus knew that such a glorious revelation was vital for these disciples. Just a week earlier, He had told them, “The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.” …… “If any man would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me” (Luke 9:22,23). Having heard such challenging words, the disciples needed to see the glory that awaited Jesus and them, if only they would indeed embrace His cross.

Who among us would willingly surrender the desires of our heart unless we were certain that we would receive new life as a result? Without the knowledge of Jesus’ risen majesty, none of us would be able to endure the death to self that is the nature of the cross. Without Jesus’ resurrection, our faith would be futile, and we would do better to “eat and drink, for tomorrow we die” (1Corinthians 15:12-19,32). But Jesus has risen from the dead, and He wants to reveal His glory to each of us. The promise of the transfiguration is that we can see Jesus’ glory and – gazing upon Him – be changed into His likeness (2 Corinthians 3:18).

At the heart of our becoming like Jesus is our loving as He loved. It may take an act of faith for us to love some of the people we encounter every day, especially if we are burdened by our own problems. But as we join ourselves in prayer with the transfigured Christ, we will be strengthened, consoled, and comforted. The risen Lord will glory us and bless us with all the joy of heaven. He will accomplish His intention of making us like Himself.