Friday 6 August 2025 – Transfiguration of the Lord (year C)
Mass
Readings: Dan
7:9-10.13-14 Ps 97 2 Pet 1:16-19 Lk 9:28-36
Key
Verse to Meditate:
And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, "This is My Son, My Chosen One;
listen to Him!" (Lk 9:35)
Dear
Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,
Today, the Church joyfully celebrates the Feast
of the Transfiguration of the Lord, observed annually on August 6.
This feast commemorates the moment when Jesus was transfigured on Mount
Tabor, radiating divine glory in the presence of Moses and Elijah,
and before His three chosen apostles—Peter, James, and John.
This significant event is recorded not only in Luke’s
Gospel, but also in the other Synoptic Gospels (Mt 17:1–8; Mk
9:2–8), and is referred to in 2 Peter 1:16–18. The Transfiguration
parallels the Old Testament accounts of Moses' encounters with God on Mount
Sinai (cf. Ex 24, 34–35). In the New Testament, it is thematically
connected with the Resurrection (Lk 24), the Ascension (Acts
1:9–11), and the Second Coming (Lk 21:27).
This is a profound and meaningful feast for all
believers. It brings us back to one of the most glorious moments in the life of
Jesus—a glimpse of His divine majesty granted to the apostles, revealing
the future glory of the Risen Lord, which would come only after His
suffering and death on the Cross. Luke tells us that when Peter and his
companions were fully awake, “they saw His glory and the two men who stood
with Him” (Lk 9:32). Thus, this feast not only speaks of heavenly glory,
but also points us towards the Passion of Christ. It invites us,
especially in this month of August, to reflect not only on Christ's
Transfiguration, but also on the transfiguration we are called to
undergo in our own lives through prayer, suffering, and union with God.
1. The Primacy of Prayer
Luke emphasizes that Jesus went up the mountain to
pray and that the Transfiguration happened during prayer: While He
was praying, “the appearance of His face changed, and His clothes became
dazzling white” (Lk 9:29). This transformation occurred during prayer—a
powerful reminder that true transformation begins in communion with God. Like
Moses before Him, who prepared himself to receive God’s word on Mount Sinai,
Jesus enters into communion with the Father, and it is in this sacred silence
that his divine glory is revealed. And as He prayed, “the appearance of
His face changed, and His clothing became dazzling white” (Lk 9:29).
This tells us something vital: transformation
begins in prayer. It is not through action or teaching alone, but through
deep communion with God that Christ’s glory is revealed. Prayer is the ground
of divine encounter—it is where the divine breaks into the human.
The mountain, in biblical tradition, is a place of divine encounter, a space of solitude and communion with God. Like Moses, who prepared himself on Mount Sinai before God spoke to him from the cloud (Ex 24:16), Jesus withdraws to pray. Prayer, therefore, is not just preparation—it is transformation. It is in prayer that our vision clears, and we begin to see the deeper realities of God’s work in our lives. Prayer is the setting for the divine revelation.
2. Moses and Elijah: Witnesses of the Glory
Why Moses and Elijah? These are the only two Old
Testament figures associated with encounters with God on mountains—Sinai
and Horeb (Ex 24; 1 Kgs 19). They symbolize the culmination of the Law and
the Prophets, now fulfilled in Christ. Their appearance signals the arrival
of the eschaton—the final chapter in God’s saving plan (Mal 4:4–5; Deut
3:10). They speak with Jesus about His impending “exodus”—His Passion,
death, and resurrection. As Malachi 4:4–5 foretells, these two pillars
of the Old Covenant signal the arrival of the eschatological age.
Luke emphasizes this by narrating that the two men
appeared “in glory” and spoke with Jesus about His departure—His Passion
and death in Jerusalem (cf. Lk 9:31). This departure is described using the
word “exodus”, evoking the great liberation led by Moses. Now, Jesus’
own ‘exodus’ will be through the Cross, leading humanity to the new
Promised Land—eternal life.
Like Elijah, who was taken to heaven in a whirlwind
(2 Kgs 2:11), Jesus too will lead His people into the true Promised Land—not by
avoiding suffering but by embracing the cross.
3. “It is Good for Us to Be Here” – Peter’s
Response
The three disciples might have assumed they were
simply accompanying Jesus for a time of prayer on the mountain. However, what
they witnessed was a revelation of Jesus’ divine nature. For the first
time, they saw Him in glory, speaking with Moses, the great lawgiver,
and Elijah, the renowned prophet—two towering figures representing the Law
and the Prophets.
Overwhelmed by this heavenly vision, Peter
exclaims: “Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us make three tents:
one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” (Lk 9:33)
This reaction reflects the human desire to hold on
to moments of spiritual consolation. However, the voice from the cloud corrects
him: “This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to Him!” (Lk 9:35). The
disciples are not called to cling to the mountaintop but to listen, learn,
and follow Jesus—even when the path leads to suffering.
4. The Voice from the Cloud:“Listen to Him”
While Peter was still speaking, “a cloud came
and overshadowed them, and they were terrified as they entered the cloud”
(Lk 9:34). From the cloud came a divine voice: “This is My Son, My Chosen
One; listen to Him!” (Lk 9:35).
In the Old Testament, the cloud is often a
sign of God's mysterious and holy presence (cf. Ex 19:16; Ps 18:11). It
is also a symbol of divine guidance and revelation (Is 19:1; Ps 104:3). The voice
from the cloud recalls the Father's affirmation at Jesus' baptism (Lk 3:22)
and the prophecy of Isaiah 42:1, identifying Jesus as the Servant of
the Lord.
God’s command to “listen to Him” fulfills the prophecy of Deuteronomy 18:15: “The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me... you shall listen to Him.” This voice from heaven, echoing in the midst of mystery, becomes a divine directive for all disciples: Pay attention to Jesus. Obey His word. Follow His way—even when it leads to the cross.
5. Coming Down the Mountain
The experience of divine glory was brief. Jesus
does not remain on the mountain. Instead, He descends, beginning His
journey toward Jerusalem, where He will embrace suffering and death.
Like Jesus, the disciples must now move from contemplation to mission,
from the vision of glory to the reality of the cross.
As disciples, we too are called to "come down
the mountain" and face the demands of everyday life. Prayer and
contemplation must always lead us to obedience, humility, and self-giving
love.
6. The Witness of the Three Disciples
Peter, James, and John had previously witnessed
Jesus raise Jairus’ daughter from the dead. Now they are privileged to witness
the radiant glory of the Son of God. But their understanding is still partial.
They must journey with Jesus from this mountain of glory to the hill of
Golgotha.
This experience would later become foundational for
their faith. In today’s second reading, St. Peter recalls this experience: “We
ourselves heard this voice come from heaven while we were with Him on the holy
mountain” (2 Pet 1:18).
This personal witness affirms that what the
disciples saw and heard was not a myth or illusion—it was a real encounter
with the majesty of Christ.
Personal Reflection: What Does the Transfiguration
Mean for Us?
1. Do I
Climb the Mountain to Pray?
The mountain is a place of
solitude, silence, and prayer—a symbol of drawing closer to God. Do I set aside
moments in my day to "climb the mountain" with Jesus in prayer and
allow Him to transform my heart?
2. Do I
Recognize Jesus as the Fulfilment of the Law and Prophets?
Moses and Elijah found their fulfilment
in Christ. Do I recognize Jesus as the center of my life, the One who completes
all that was promised in Scripture?
3. Am I
Willing to Embrace the Cross with Jesus?
The glory of the Transfiguration
anticipates the glory of the Resurrection—but only through the Passion.
Am I prepared to follow Jesus through suffering, not only in moments of light
but also in times of darkness?
The Father's voice commands: "Listen
to Him." Am I truly attentive to the voice of Jesus in the Gospels, in
the Church, and in the silence of prayer?
5. Do I Accept God’s Will in My Life?
Jesus came down from the mountain
to do the Father’s will, even unto death. Do I seek God's will above my own
preferences, even when it is difficult?
Conclusion
The
Transfiguration is a powerful reminder that glory and suffering are not
opposites—they are both part of the mystery of God's plan. As we celebrate
this feast, may we desire, like the apostles, to see the glory of Jesus—but
also to follow Him in faith, in prayer, and in love.
Let us
pray for the grace to climb the mountain of prayer, to listen attentively to
His voice, and to courageously descend into the valley of daily life—carrying
our cross with hope, knowing that resurrection awaits.
May we be
transfigured with Christ, and through prayer and obedience, radiate His
light to the world -Amen.
