August 6, 2017: Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord

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.” (Matthew 17:1-9)

Reflection

The Transfiguration was one of the Lenten readings this year but this Sunday we have the opportunity to let the message of this gospel go deeper within us. What struck me in Matthew’s version was that Jesus led Peter, James and John up the high mountain and then he brought them down again. Jesus brought his close disciples to the mountain top and shared with them his deep encounter with his loving God. This can give us great confidence as we attempt to follow Jesus in our own lives. He is leading us into that holy place where God speaks with us and helps us to recognize that we are God’s beloved and to accept that to “listen to Jesus” is to do God’s will in our lives.

Action

This week let’s try to be mindful of who or what we are following as we go about our daily lives. Let’s live with intentionality to listen to that still quiet voice of Jesus within us.