The Transfiguration

On this Sunday, we read of the Transfiguration of Jesus on Mt. Tabor. What happened on that mountain was what would happen to Jesus on his resurrection from the dead. It was a reminder to the Apostles of the glory that one day be theirs. But to achieve that glory both Jesus and his disciples would have to suffer. The life, death and resurrection of Jesus would exemplify the principle: “No cross, no crown.” The Transfiguration of Jesus was intended to identify him as the New Moses and the Prophet, fulfilling all the promises and hopes of the chosen people. The transforming light which shone around Jesus was a reminder of the transforming experiences of Moses and Elijah. These experiences are in many ways a reflection of our lives. There are moments in our lives which psychologists might call “peak experiences”. These can be special events which bring great joy and happiness. Such occasions may be the birth of a child, a First Holy Communion, receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation, a wedding, or a special celebration. Like St. Peter on the mountain top we would like to freeze our “peak experiences”. We would like to put them in a tent, and live in a state of exhilaration. Jesus knew that they must move on and he must go to Jerusalem and face death on the cross. But the experience on the mountain top would sustain him in his agony and suffering. Eventually it would sustain the Apostles on their journey and in their sufferings.

Like Jesus and the Apostles, we too must come down from the mountain top of the rejoicing and happy times and deal with the struggles of daily life. Life is truly not a bed of roses. There are disappointments, failures, sinfulness, tragedy and sadness. Like Jesus and the Apostles on the mountain, we have the words spoken by the Father to strengthen and sustain us: “This is my beloved Son.” Jesus is not alone in his sufferings and struggles. He is loved by the Father and we are directed to listen to him. In our own journeys we can face difficult decisions – with the knowledge that we are loved and supported. When we hear our name called in love, we can face our road to Jerusalem. The power of the love empowers us to face the future – without that love and our knowing it the future would indeed be bleak. In the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, God demonstrates the extremes of that love. In every Mass we celebrate that love. It helps us to travel with hope. Because of the knowledge that we are his beloved children we can face the valleys in our lives with faith and courage.