Jesus told his disciples who he is: The Son of God, God incarnate, the Messiah, the Savior of the world. But he also gave them a taste of his glory in a way that could strengthen them after the shock of the Passion and Crucifixion, namely through his Transfiguration! They went to a mountaintop, where Jesus was transformed with dazzling white clothes, Elijah and Moses talking with him. Moses and Elijah represent the Law and the Prophets, two of the main sections of the Old Testament. Then Peter asked to make three tents for them. Tents, or booths, are traditionally built by Jews to remember their time during the Exodus. Thus, they celebrate the Feast of Booths in the fall.
But wait, there’s more! A cloud overshadowed them! This was the presence of the Holy Spirit, just as in the Old Testament, the cloud covered the meeting tent when God was present. They were in the presence of God. And yet, there is still more! A voice comes from the cloud: “This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.” Wow! No wonder Peter, James, and John were stunned. But Jesus told them, in effect: “Don’t tell anyone about this until after the Resurrection.” Then they were confused by that!
There is enough in that one moment to keep them, and us, meditating on the mysteries of God’s way. The Transfiguration is the fourth of the Luminous, or Mysteries of Light. They shed light on Jesus in much the same way as Jesus shed the light of his glory on his disciples and us. He shows us that his Passion leads to his Resurrection. When we suffer, we participate in the Passion of our Lord, and thus we will also participate in his Resurrection. Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus!
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