August 6, 2023: The Transfiguration of the Lord

Gospel: Matthew 17:1-9 (Bible Translation: The Message by Eugene H. Peterson)

Six days later, three of them saw that glory. Jesus took Peter and the brothers, James and John, and led them up a high mountain. His appearance changed from the inside out, right before their eyes. Sunlight poured from his face. His clothes were filled with light. Then they realized that Moses and Elijah were also there in deep conversation with him.

Peter broke in, “Master, this is a great moment! What would you think if I built three memorials here on the mountain – one for you, one for Moses, one for Elijah?”

While he was going on like this, babbling, a light-radiant cloud enveloped them, and sounding from deep in the cloud a voice: “This is my Son, marked by my love, focus of my delight. Listen to him.”

When the disciples heard it, they fell flat on their faces, scared to death. But Jesus came over and touched them. “Don’t be afraid.” When they opened their eyes and looked around all they saw was Jesus, only Jesus.

Coming down the mountain, Jesus swore them to secrecy. “Don’t breathe a word of what you’ve seen. After the Son of Man is raised from the dead, you are free to talk.”

Reflection

“His appearance changed from the inside out, right before their eyes.”

I am delving into this sentence. I offer this rephrasing to help with personal understanding of transfiguration:

My appearance changed from the inside out, right before my own eyes and the eyes of friends, family and neighbors.

The passage describing Jesus’ transfiguration and my own rephrasing of it are not metaphors. I know this because I have seen a change come in myself from the inside out after an experience of prayer, participation in a sacrament, time spent writing, reading a poem or preparing a reflection like this one. I sense a shift and become aware of new insight, openness to someone I have resisted and curiosity to learn or experience in a different way. I am really changed.

Action

Write a personal statement of transfiguration. Use details and express how you, and others, recognize the change in you.