The Transfiguration of our Lord

In Matthew’s Gospel today we hear about the transfiguration of our Lord and Savior – Jesus Christ.

To transfigure means to change in outward appearance – and in Matthew’s Gospel we hear that Jesus took Peter, James and John up a high mountain and that it was there, on that mountain, that Jesus transfigured before them – His outward appearance changed – His face shone like the sun and His clothes became white as light. Jesus appeared to them in glory – He appeared to them in His glorified body. But that’s not all.

We hear that Moses – who we know represents the Law of the Old Testament – and Elijah – who we know represents the Old Testament Prophets – appeared also – and that they were talking with Jesus. But that’s not all.

We hear that a bright cloud cast a shadow over them – and from that cloud there came a voice – the voice of God – and God said to them: “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to Him.”

At this we hear that – Peter, James and John – filled with fear fell to the ground – so afraid were they that they wouldn’t even raise their eyes – but then Jesus comes to them and tells them – rise, do not be afraid. And when the disciples raised their eyes – when the looked around – they found no one was there except for Jesus.

This vision, this consolation, this blessing, we are told, was at that time just for them – for as they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus told them not to tell anyone what they had witnessed until He had been raised from the dead.

But why – why was Jesus transfigured before them? Why did Moses and Elijah appear? Why did God speak to them? And most importantly – what does all this have to do with you and me today?

To begin to understand these questions consider first that you and I are New Testament people – we are new covenant people – the old covenant between God and the Israelites has passed away – that is why Moses and Elijah appeared – to signal the passing of the Old Testament – the passing of the old covenant – for the kingdom of God – was at hand – Jesus is the new mediator, Jesus is the New Testament – Jesus is the new covenant between God and man – that is why when Peter, James and John found the courage to raise their eyes they saw no one but Jesus – the Old Covenant, the Old Testament was gone – Moses and Elijah were gone. In Jesus both the law and the prophets of the Old Testament are fulfilled. For Jesus said: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Consider now the two questions – why did Jesus transfigured before Peter, James and John and why they heard the voice of God. Peter, James and John received this special blessing – this extraordinary consolation – they saw with their own eyes the transfiguration of Jesus and they heard with their own ears the voice of God. Recall what Jesus said: “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. For I say to you, many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.” – Peter, James and John definitely received a special blessing.

But why? They received this special blessing simply to assure them then – and future generations, us gathered here today – that without doubt Jesus was the Son of God – the Messiah. They received this special grace to give them the strength and courage that they would need to bare their share of hardship for the Gospel – a Gospel of Love – A Gospel that is counter culture and one that no one could have predicted.

This is what we heard in our second reading today from the Second Letter of St. Paul to Timothy: Timothy – who was the pastor of a church, was going through some hardships in the name of the Gospel. St. Paul writes to him and us:

Beloved: bear your share of hardship for the gospel with the strength that comes from God. He saved us and called us to a holy life, not according to our works, but according to his own design and the grace bestowed on us in Christ Jesus before time began, but now made manifest through the appearance of our savior Christ Jesus, who destroyed death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.



That my brothers and sisters is why we recall the transfiguration of Jesus today to give us the strength we need to bare our share of hardship for this Gospel of Love.

And what is our share of hardship for this Gospel of Love?

Jesus said “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.”

Jesus said that the greatest commandment was this: “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” And “the second is like it: you shall love your neighbor as yourself.” He went on to say that the whole law and the prophets – the Old Testament – depend on these two commandments.

And the night before He suffered, Jesus told His disciples: “This is my commandment: love one another as I love you.” No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you.”

But there is more – listen – Jesus goes on to say “It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain …”

My brothers and sisters, you and I have been called – we have been called to be His eyes in this world, to be His hands, to be His voice – to share His love – You and I have been called to fight the good fight – we have been called to live holy and righteous lives – to testify to the light – to be the very salt of the earth – we have been called to turn away from sin and to embrace the Gospel …

We have been called – you and I – to defend the helpless, to feed the hungry, to clothe the naked, to shelter the homeless, and to visit those who are sick or in prison …

And the question Jesus has for each of us today is simply this - Do you love me – from the Cross we hear those words – do you love me – we hear those words from the only person who can say them with power, the only person who can say them with authority, the only person who has the right to say them – because He so loved us that He took upon himself our sins – He humbled himself accepting death on a cross for our salvation … He paid the price for our sins – down to the last drop of His blood. It is from the cross we hear those words – do you love me? And if we love Him – then we are to tend His sheep, we are to love each other – we are to be Christ to those around us.

We recall the transfiguration of Jesus today my brothers and sisters to give us the strength we need to bare our share of hardship for His Gospel of Love. If we truly live the Gospel message of love – then the world will hate us – we will be persecuted – but the transfiguration of Jesus serves is to show us today what awaits us in heaven – where we too will be transfigured – where we too will be in our glorified bodies.