By Leon Bent –
We are blessed to be alive at one of the most amazing moments in history, where all that was once hidden is now being revealed.
The Transfiguration is highly significant in the life of the Church, and the history of Christian faith. Thomas Aquinas called it the “greatest miracle,” because it revealed the hidden divinity of Christ before his passion and death. Indeed, Christian teaching over centuries saw the blaze of splendour on the mountain, as the meeting of our human nature with God.
The Transfiguration of Jesus is an event reported in the New Testament when Jesus is transmuted and becomes radiant in glory upon a mountain. The Synoptic Gospels (Matthew 17:1–8, Mark 9:2–8, Luke 9:28–36) describe it; the Second Epistle of Peter also refers to it (2 Peter 1:16–18).
The word “transfigured” is very interesting. The Greek word is “metamorpho” and it means to transform, literally or figuratively to metamorphose, or to change. In the case of the Transfiguration of Jesus Christ, it means to match the outside with the heavenly reality of the inside. Jesus’ divine nature was “veiled” (Hebrews 10:20) in human form and the Transfiguration was a glimpse of that otherwise, unseen glory. Therefore, the Transfiguration of Jesus Christ displayed the ‘Shekinah’ manifestation of God, incarnate in the Son – beatific presence!
Teilhard de Chardin translates this ‘magic act,’ as Christ: the “most integrated, self-conscious, personal wholeness, the energy of centricity and unification”! Pseudo-Dionysius would term it, “erotic outpouring,” “divine energy,” a “deep power at the heart of cosmic life”! We need to build tents like Peter wanted to. We drink from our own wells. Hence, we need deep wells, filled with crystal, clear water to drink from. The Transfiguration offers us unceasing ambrosial food and drink! It teaches us we are now part of the deep religious core of cosmic evolution, which brings us a fuller flowering of personality. Why? Simply because the fire breathed from this Godly event, animates fire into the fabric of the cosmos that enkindles life. And, by the sheer power of its energy, love draws everything into an endless depth of greater wholeness. How? We are now a part of this great love between Father and Son, through the passion of spiritualized union! We come to a “deeper centredness,” “creative union”; an “ecstasy of divine goodness”!
In all three Synoptic Gospels, the Transfiguration occurs several days after Jesus’ foretelling his death and Resurrection (Mt. 16:24-28; Lk. 9:23-27; Mk. 8:31-38). Jesus tells his disciples of his Crucifixion, the Resurrection and his Second Coming: “And he began to teach them that the Son of Man must die and after three days rise again” (9:31). Peter apparently stopped listening after he heard the words, “be killed.” He takes Jesus aside and rebukes him. He earns Jesus’ rebuke in return (8:32-33).
It is one thing for Jesus to tell his disciples that, while following him will involve sacrifice, and, perhaps even death, it will also result in glory. It is another thing to actually show them that glory shining in their present sufferings.
High on holy Mount Tabor in today’s Gospel, the true identity of Jesus is fully revealed in His Transfiguration. Standing between Moses and the prophet Elijah, Jesus is the bridge that joins the Law of Moses to the Prophets and Psalms (see Luke 24:24-27). As Moses did, Jesus climbs a mountain with three friends and beholds God’s glory in a cloud (see Exodus 24:1,9,15). As Elijah did, he hears God’s voice on the mountain (see 1 Kings 19:8-19).
Elijah was prophesied to return as the herald of the messiah and the Lord’s new covenant (see Malachi 3:1,23-24). Jesus is revealed today as that messiah. By His death and resurrection, which he intimates today to the apostles, he makes a new covenant with all creation. The majestic voice declares Jesus to be God’s own Beloved Son, in whom the Father is well pleased (see Psalm 2:7). God gives us a glimpse of His inner life. In the cloud of the Holy Spirit, the Father reveals His love for the Son, and invites us to share in that love, as His beloved sons and daughters. The last word God speaks from heaven today is a command — “Listen to Him” (see Deuteronomy 18:15-19).
The Word of the Lord should be like a lamp shining in the darkness of our days, as Peter tells us (2 Peter 1:17; Matt. 17:5; Mark 9:7; Luke 9:35). How attentively are we listening? Do we attend to His Word each day? Let us today rededicate ourselves to listening with our heart. Let us hear Him as the ‘Word of Life’, the bright morning star of divine life, waiting to arise in our hearts (see Revelation 2:28; 22:16).
Now, this gold nugget! Words of Wisdom from Pope Francis: “Suddenly from on high the voice of the Father resounds, proclaiming Jesus to be his most beloved Son, saying ‘listen to him.’ This word is important! Our Father said this to the Apostles, and says it to us as well: ‘listen to Jesus, because he is my Beloved Son.’ Let us keep this Word in our minds and our hearts: ‘listen to Jesus’! The Pope is not saying this, God the Father says it: to me, to you, to everyone – all people! It is an inspiration for going forward on the path of Lent. ‘Listen to Jesus!’ Don’t forget!”
Tuck this in the folds of your subconscious: The story of the Transfiguration of Christ has beguiled the Christian mind for centuries. It is the clearest New Testament evocation of mystical encounter, the experience of spiritual things within the ordinary, and the keen conviction that, the spiritual reality is greater and more beautiful than ordinary experience. “Mystical” means there has been supernatural contact with a celestial Person: God!
The punch line! The secret wisdom of the Transfiguration is igniting the Christ in you and me!
The last word! I encourage all readers to enter the “fiery Cloud”, softly, in silence, where the divine touches our humanity! Truly, a wonder wrapped in mystery!
Leon Bent is an ex-Seminarian and studied the Liberal Arts and Humanities, and Philosophy, from St. Pius X College, Mumbai. He holds Masters Degree in English Literature and Aesthetics. He has published three Books and have 20 on the anvil. He has two extensively “Researched” Volumes to his name: Hail Full of Grace and Matrimony: The Thousand Faces of Love. He won The Examiner, Silver Pen Award, 2000 for writing on Social Issues, the clincher being a Researched Article on Gypsies in India, published in an issue of the (worldwide circulation) Vidyajyoti Journal of Theological Reflection, New Delhi. On April, 28, 2018, Leon received the Cardinal Ivan Dias Award for a research paper in Mariology.