Transfigured Before Them

February 18, 2012

Saturday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time

For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by the human species, but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse men who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this need not be so. James 3:7-10

Jesus took Peter, James, and John and led them up a high mountain apart by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no fuller on earth could bleach them. Mark 9:2-3

Piety

Father, help us to hear your words and put them into action in our lives. Brother Jesus, speak to us about how we can better understand your role in our lives as you lead us to change. Holy Spirit, set us free from our patterns of speech and action so that we may better follow Jesus.

Study

The Transfiguration was perhaps the most precious gift that Jesus presented to his top three friends Peter, James and John (the first three disciples called) at this point in his life and public ministry. There were miracles, healings, and countless other positive signs and confrontations with the leaders of the state, the church and the culture. But since the very birth of Jesus, this is only the second time that an encounter with the Lord also caused the Father and the Holy Spirit to make their presence known at the same time.

As we mediate on this Fourth Mystery of Life today, what does it say about Jesus life and the lives of these three disciples? The disciples have had a chance to walk with Jesus throughout ancient Palestine and witness the signs of his divinity. Yet up until this point, all the miracles happened affected the lives of other people who came in contact with Jesus. In their encounters with Jesus, the person was changed. But today, Jesus is changed before the eyes of Peter, James and John.

By this stage, they fully identify Jesus as the Son of God, not just another in the long line of prophets. We can hear the dialogue between Peter and Jesus in Matthew’s Gospel: He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter said in reply, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Matthew 16:16

But now they must understand what his life really will come to mean. For thousands of years, the people have been expecting a leader to emerge from the lineage of David, the root of Jesse. They expected a in the forms that they have already come to know – a political leader (king), a military leader (general) or a church leader (Pharisee).

Moses and Elijah appeared with Jesus – both great prophets who had direct encounters with God in their lives and ministries. They had performed great works and were rejected by the people who used to follow them. At first, Peter equates Jesus with these great prophets. Yet, the Transfiguration foretells the Resurrection and elevates Jesus above and beyond law and the prophets.

Added to the wondrous sights, the sound of the voice of God also is heard in this episode. Peter was unable to control his tongue. He was always quick – sometimes too quick to speak – and here was interrupted and corrected by nothing less than the very voice of God.

Peter wanted to build three tents and begin establishing the “physical” kingdom right there on the mountaintop. Yet the Kingdom would not be a physical location but needed to abide in our very being -- our hearts, in our minds and in our souls. Rather than giving the three figures before them “equal treatment” with tents for each, the voice of God singles out Jesus alone. "This is my beloved Son. Listen to him." Don't build tents to camp out and stay here forever. Get down off this mountain and help people build the Kingdom in their hearts and lives.

What does it matter? The Transfiguration tells these three disciples and us that we have to adjust our expectations of what the life of Jesus means. He would be glorified after great suffering but that glory would not come in the typical ways that people might expect. The tension between society and Jesus now moves internally and starts to pull on the hearts of the disciples. As always, Jesus is at the core of all these intersections.

Action

How can reflecting on the Transfiguration bring us to a deeper and higher understanding of Jesus? How can Jesus lead us up the three mountains of piety, study and action? How can the real presence of Jesus in our lives move us to stop what we are doing, change the direction in which we look for happiness, and turn to him?

The core of the message is to listen to Jesus. When we open our ears, the Trinity gives us the knowledge, skills and understanding to change our lives.

Today is the last Saturday in Ordinary time before Lent begins next Wednesday. It is not too early to begin thinking how we can wake up and can change our life during these holy days to better listen to how Jesus wants us to reach a higher level of spiritual consciousness in our piety, study and action.