Matthew 17,1-9.
Having seen the humanity of Christ in the temptation story of last Sunday’ gospel, we encounter, today, his divinity in his Transfiguration. Peter, James, and John were singled out to accompany Jesus at very special moments of his life/ ministry- here, and later during Jesus’ agony in the Garden of Gethsemane. (26,37).
Mountains were meeting- places of God with people and especially with Moses, (Ex. 31,18f), and Elijah (I Kgs. 19,9-12), to whom God appeared at Sinai (Horeb) and who now appear here in the Transfiguration story.
Jesus is transfigured/transformed before them. The radiance of his divinity shines through his facial features. Moses, Israel’s great Lawgiver, and Elijah the great prophet expected to re-appear before the coming of the Messiah, appear and start talking with Jesus. Matthew does not give us the topic of their conversation, but according to Luke’s gospel they talked about his exodus/departure, i.e. his forthcoming death and resurrection. (Lk 9,31).
Peter, totally overcome by the joy of the occasion, wants it to last forever. Deferring to the Lord’s divine status, he prefaces his suggestion with a respectful, “if you wish,” I will make three booths here, one each for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah. While he was still speaking, a bright cloud, a symbol of God’s presence, and an allusion to Mt Sinai, envelops them, and the Father’s voice announces that Jesus is his beloved Son, who enjoys his favour – reminiscent of the Suffering Servant in the Old Testament (Is 42,1), who prefigures Jesus especially in his suffering and death (Is. 53,5,8-11).
The voice from heaven announcing Jesus as God’s beloved son, and the command to listen to him fill them with awe as they fall on their faces, but Jesus comes and touches them, commanding them to “stand up” and “not be afraid.” Mark (9,6) Luke (9,34) give two different explanations for the disciples’ fear, but uniquely for Matthew it is connected to Jesus’ identity as teacher, and the command to obey him. In Matthew the voice repeats the Baptism message about Jesus’ identity (3,17) verbatim, and by adding the command to listen to him, it echoes Deut. 18,15, which speaks of God raising up a prophet like Moses to which the Israelites should listen. For Matthew Jesus is the new Moses, who teaches the new law to the new Israel (the Church).
Like the three disciples, we are invited to listen to the Lord. He speaks to us especially in the scriptures. When we read them, I recommend the practice of speaking the words we are reading. Then we can hear them, and they become more alive for us.
The Transfiguration was a profound experience for Jesus and the three disciples. Jesus let his divinity be seen and he is confirmed as the Father’s beloved Son, in their hearing. They experience his divinity – they see it and are told about it by the Father’s voice. Having had the experience, reflection on it can transform them. Those three will be with Jesus in Gethsemane when they will see a very human side of him. The Transfiguration experience is meant to help them to keep faith in him then. It didn’t work when the time of testing came. Would it have worked for you?
Each of us is God’s work of art in whom He is well pleased. Imagine hearing Him saying that to you.
Fr Geoff O’Grady