Jesus took Peter, James, and his brother, John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, conversing with him. Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud cast a shadow over them, then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.”When the disciples heard this, they fell prostrate and were very much afraid. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and do not be afraid.” And when the disciples raised their eyes, they saw no one else but Jesus alone. As they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, “Do not tell the vision to anyone until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”
REFLECTION
“This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.”
The Transfiguration of Jesus is described in the Gospels, Matthew 17:1–8, Mark 9:2–13, and Luke 9:28–36. Jesus reveals His divine glory to Peter, James, and John on a mountain. Moses and Elijah appear, and the voice from heaven affirms His identity as the Son of God.
What was the back history?
Jesus had gone into the region of Caesaria Philippi and asked his disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" Peter confesses that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. Jesus then began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things and be killed and on the third day be raised. Peter scorns at the idea. He even took Him aside and began to rebuke Him. Jesus said, "Get behind Me, Satan, You are an obstacle to me. You are thinking not as God does but as human beings do." (Matthew 16: 22-23). Peter did not understand: neither did the others.
After six days, Jesus took Peter, James and John and led them up a high mountain by themselves. The mysterious episode of Jesus' Transfiguration takes place on Mount Tabor. Moses and Elijah were conversing with Him. The face of Jesus shown like the sun and His clothes became white as light. His Father said, " This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to Him."
Moses and Elijah were the two most important figures of the Old Testament. Moses had seen the vision of God's glory on Mount Sinai and Elijah travelled to Mount Horeb or Mount Sinai when pursued by Jezebel and God spoke to Him. The law and the prophets had announced the Messiah's sufferings.
Jesus is incomparable and above Moses and Elijah. He is confirming Peter's confession. The whole Trinity appeared: the Father in the voice; the Son in the man, and the Spirit in the shining cloud.
Prayer: As Peter, James, and John were given a glimpse of His divine majesty, grant us the grace to recognize His presence in our own lives, especially in moments of prayer, worship, and the Holy Eucharist. Imagine witnessing the glory of God as we attend Mass and receive the Lord.
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