TRANSFIGURATION

The Transfiguration of Jesus is narrated by all three Synoptic gospels (Luke, Mark, Matthew). It is a very important event in the early Christian community. It is theophany which means divine revelation. It is the revelation of the true identity of Jesus who is fully human and fully divine. He is the chosen Son of God. It is also the revelation of His glory because He is the perfect sign of God’s love. He speaks and acts in the person of the one true God. But the glory of Jesus has to go through the way of the Cross because it is the power and wisdom of God. It is on the Cross that the extravagance of God’s love is revealed. God is pazzo d’amore with us, crazy in love with us. St. Luke narrated that while Jesus was praying, His face changed in appearance. The word change comes from the Greek word metamorphoo which the English word, metamorphosis, is derived. It means a change that occurs when a caterpillar becomes a butterfly. It is the breakthrough of his divinity. It reminds us of Moses who encountered God at Mt. Sinai and his face shone brightly. And he had to wear a veil to shield people from the glare of his face. The transfiguration of Jesus is the revelation that God is present in the world. The clothing of Jesus became dazzling white. It signifies that the whole world and creation is touched by God. We are all touched by God and thus we are to value and respect all people and be responsible stewards of creation. Jesus brings healing into our wounded humanity. He restores wholeness to our fallen world. The voice of the Father was heard during the transfiguration of Jesus. It said that Jesus is the chosen Son. Listen to Him. God assures us that we can always trust Jesus because nothing can separate us from His love. To listen to Jesus is to make His choices, vision and values our own so that we become another Christ in the world. He will change our lowly body to conform with His glorified body. We are called to stand firm in Him and to be steadfast in our faith. Therefore, the transfiguration of Jesus is the pledge of our own glory. We are called to be imitators of Christ and to follow His way of the Cross because it is the only way to be fully alive and totally free. We are called to rely on God alone because that is the only way to be strong. He is the supreme good, the absolute treasure and the essential in life. He is the summumbonum the highest good.