Matthew 17,1-9.
The Transfiguration happens at the centre of the three Synoptics gospels- Matthew , Mark and Luke. It is preceded by two very significant events: (1) Peter’s profession of faith in Jesus’ identity as the Son of God, (Mt 16,13-20), and (2), Jesus’ first prediction of his Passion, Death and Resurrection (Mt 16, 21-23), and followed by a summary of the conditions necessary for following him – taking up one’s cross (Mt 16,24-28).
We do not know on which mountain the Transfiguration occurred- Mt Thabor or Hermon. Peter, James and John were the three disciples who would, later, also accompany Jesus during the Agony in the Garden. (Mt 26,37f). Mountains in Matthew are places of revelation. In the Old Testament Moses encountered God on Mt Horeb (Exodus 31,18f) for the giving of the Law, and there He spoke to Elijah, as a “still small voice,” to reassure him in his difficulties (I Kgs 19,9-12). (Mt Horeb/Sinai). At the Transfiguration Moses and Elijah appear and talk with Jesus. Moses represents the law and Elijah was the prophet par excellence of Israel. They speak with Jesus who is the fulfilment of both the Law and the prophets (Mt 5,17).
Jesus’ face and garments took on the dazzling brightness of heaven and he appears like the Son of Man giving the three apostles a preview of the glory which he had promised them just before the Transfiguration (16,28). It was a moment of ecstasy. Peter the spokesman, respectfully (“if you wish”) offers to build three tents, to preserve for all time, the awesome vision they are experiencing. Tents were the meeting place of God with the people of Israel as they journeyed to the promised land. For Peter this moment was the fulfilment of all God’s promises, the sign that the time of the Messiah has come. It was a divine, beatific moment.
The bright cloud which overshadowed them both revealed and hid the divine presence from their eyes in this climactic moment. God is heard, not seen. His spoken word confirms Peter’s Confession and repeats the revelation made at Jesus’ baptism of his Sonship of the Father (Mt 3,17), at the beginning of his public life.
The divine command to listen to Jesus causes the three disciples to fall in fear on the ground, the usual reaction of weak, mortal humans in the presence of the divine. Jesus, comes to them, touches them, reassures them, tells them to stand up and not to be afraid.
They raised their eyes and saw no one but Jesus and came down the mountain with him, now, very different people. He tells them to keep quiet about their experience until he has risen from the dead. I wonder did they obey!
The Transfiguration shows Jesus to be the promised Messiah, the Son of God, the fulfilment of the Law and the prophets, and the authoritative word of God to be listened to.
Peter, James, and John will later accompany that same transfigured Lord, broken in Gethsemane; they will see him betrayed, denied, mocked, beaten, and crucified on Calvary. The memories of his transfiguration should have helped them to keep faith in him.
In the transfiguration God prepares Peter, James and John, for what lies ahead of them. He does the same in our lives if we let Him. Do you experience the presence, love, and care of the Lord in your life? Do you listen to him speaking in and through your life? In the Scriptures? In the Church?
Fr Geoff O’Grady