The Transfiguration of Jesus

Today's Reflections

The Transfiguration of Jesus 

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Lk 9:28b-36

²⁸[Jesus] took Peter, John, and James and went up the mountain to pray. ²⁹While he was praying his face changed in appearance and his clothing became dazzling white. ³⁰And behold, two men were conversing with him, Moses and Elijah, ³¹who appeared in glory and spoke of his exodus that he was going to accomplish in Jerusalem. ³²Peter and his companions had been overcome by sleep, but becoming fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. ³³As they were about to part from him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good that we are here; let us make three tents, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” But he did not know what he was saying. ³⁴While he was still speaking, a cloud came and cast a shadow over them, and they became frightened when they entered the cloud. ³⁵Then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my chosen Son; listen to him.” ³⁶After the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. They fell silent and did not at that time tell anyone what they had seen.

Reflection:

While he was praying his face changed in appearance. 

The Gospel for the second Sunday of Lent is always about the transfiguration of Jesus. God uses this anticipated manifestation of Jesus’ glorification to prepare the disciples for the scandal of the passion. During the passion, they will see Jesus battered, weak, and helpless, looking like a worm and not a man. God assures them already at the transfiguration, “This is my chosen Son,” and shows Jesus in glory. Despite this, however, the chosen three—Peter, James, and John—will fail the test.

This early during Lent, the Church wants to strengthen us for the coming days of struggle. The idea is somewhat like when they show contestants in a competition what prize awaits them if they win. Glory is our destiny, glory like that of God’s Son. And it will be ours if, as God commands, we listen to his chosen Son.

Luke gives a detail that the other evangelists do not mention: it is while Jesus is at prayer that he is transfigured. If we pray (as Jesus habitually does), we shall also be changed within, and our transformation will be seen even in our bodies.

We cannot expose ourselves to God in prayer

without being changed.