In Mathew’s gospel, the transfiguration of Christ happens after Peter confessed Jesus
as Christ, Son of God [chapters 16&17]. When Jesus talked about his suffering and
death, Peter was unable to understand a suffering Messiah. Then, Jesus took Peter,
James and John to a unique experience and showed them a glimpse of who he truly is.
Jesus was preparing the disciples for his suffering, death on the cross. The experience
on the mountain [place of encounter with God] should inspire the disciple’s life on the
plain, give them direction in life, and with courage to continue Jesus’ mission in the
world.
Disciples also had vision of Moses and Elijah with Jesus. Moses represented the Law,
the people of Israel that God was preparing for the coming of the Messiah, therefore,
law points to Jesus the Messiah. Elijah represented the prophesies and they were
about Jesus; Isaiah spoke about the suffering servant of God, who took upon himself
the sins of the world. The passion of Jesus manifests the suffering servant of God. In
the transfiguration, a voice was heard, ‘this is my beloved Son, listen to him, follow
him’, he inaugurates the kingdom of God. The disciples cannot now remain on the
mountain in this ecstasy; they have to come down from the mountain to confront
realities of life to carry on the mission of Jesus to change hearts, tell the world to listen
and follow Jesus.
What the disciples saw on the mountain, they called transfiguration, something that
cannot be explained in words. The disciples were immersed in light, experienced a
peace that made them forget themselves, knowing God as pure love. They did not
want to leave the mountain. Transfiguration gives us a glimpse of what is eternal life,
how we are going to be with Jesus in heaven. This light was given to us in baptism, a
light that purifies and gradually transfigures us into Christ likeness. This is the reality
behind every prayer, celebration of the Eucharist, that we are inviting the presence of
God that draws us into a peace/love, that gives the energy we need to follow Christ.
Transfiguration of Jesus assures us that suffering and what is tragic in life will be
transformed, given new meaning. Knowing Christ as Son of God and as suffering
servant of God who takes away our sins gives freedom to encounter suffering and go
beyond fear or what limit us and rest in God. Spiritual wisdom: ’Life is filled with
suffering but it is also filled with many wonders, like the blue sky, the sunshine, the
eyes of a baby. To suffer is not enough. We must also be in touch with the wonders of
life. They are within us and all around us, everywhere, any time’. God is saying: come
away for an adventure; I want to give you a gift, myself, a light to see how to hold in
gratitude many pieces of life and know what is most precious in life. This too will pass,
the suffering; it is transfiguring you!
Suffering and challenges don’t have to be a dead end; there is an unexplored, bright
side to suffering if we listen to Jesus and be with him on the mountain of our life; he
would help us transform crosses with his light. We receive certain consolation,
empowering grace to live the gospel, to be healing and transforming presence in the
world. The mystery of transfiguration reveals that we are lovingly held by God,
surrounded by saints and angels [according to Jewish tradition Both Moses and Elijah
were taken up to heaven, they did not taste death. Seen them with Jesus shows that
they are alive in God. Our destiny too is to be alive in God]. What we know now by faith
will be a face to face vision of God in heaven.