Transfiguration of the Lord (18th) Sunday (A)

August 6, 2017

Readings:

First Reading – Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14

Psalm 97

Second Reading – 2 Peter 1:16-19

Gospel reading according to Matthew (17:1-9)

+

Homily

The transfiguration of the Lord Jesus Christ up a high mountain, “a complete change of form or appearance into a more beautiful or spiritual state,” is similar to what was seen in a vision by the prophet Daniel, after seeing the thrones being set up and God (the Ancient One) took His seat upon the flames of fire and smoke, and thousands upon thousands were ministering to Him and myriads upon myriads stood before him, (Dan 7:9-10), when suddenly, “One like the Son of man coming on the clouds of heaven” (Dan. 7:13), with his glory. 

The same occurred when Jesus Christ, after six days, “took Peter, James and John his brother, and led them up a mountain by themselves.  And he was transfigured before them” (Mt. 17:1-2). This event was very unusual and significant for his disciples.  They knew Jesus only as a man, but not as a divine.  But to prove to Peter, James and John who he really was, especially to Peter who responded him that “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God,” when he was asked by Jesus, “Who do you say that I am?” (Mt 16:13-16), they were brought to a high mountain and showed to them who he really was, and his glorification by transforming himself.  The proofs of his transfiguration were, “. . .  his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light” (Mt. 17:2).  According to other sources, it says that his clothes turned into dazzling white and no bleaches can whiten it.  It was so brilliant that no ordinary eyes can stare the face of Jesus, and his clothes were shining brightly.  The bright light is emitting from within, inside of him coming out to his face and to his clothes.  This is significant in the resurrection event.

And more amazing in that high mountain is the appearances of Moses and Elijah on the same day, on the same time, and on the same place. Was it accidental or was it planned by Jesus that meeting? These two great biblical men were the greatest prophets of old: one, Moses is the Lawgiver and the other, Elijah representing all the prophets, as what other people think about Jesus, “Who do men say the Son of man is?” They said, “Some say John the Baptist, and others Elijah, and others Jeremiah, or one of the prophets” (Mt. 16:13-14).  This makes prove that Jesus is not one of the prophets of old but more than that.  “And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, conversing with him” (Mt. 17:3).  What they were discussing?  Could it be the vision of Daniel?  That he will receive dominion, splendor and kingship; “When he reached God (the Ancient One) and was presented before him, the one like the Son of man received dominion, splendor and kingship;” and that, “all peoples, nations, and languages serve him” (Dan. 7:14).  Or something more important than these.  Jesus, Moses and Elijah were discussing about the approaching and imminent death of Jesus on the Cross in Jerusalem, in fulfilling his mission proclaimed by Moses and prophesied by Elijah at the very beginning of the journey’s faith of the people of God.

Then, Peter who was listening to the conversation but did not understand what was going on, or who would like to hold Moses and Elijah to remain there in the mountain top forever, or did not want Jesus to go and suffer death on the hands of the elders and leaders in Jerusalem, or he wanted to dominate the three in their discussion, replied and said, “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” (Mt. 17:4).  The fisherman becomes a carpenter.  This is normal for Peter, for he was the chosen leader of the group of Jesus and he was always initiating and very aggressive to be first in many things yet he did not think first what he would say or do, but he was an honest person and loyal to Jesus.  “While he (Peter) was still speaking,” to convince Jesus to his plan of building tents for them to stay on the top of the mountain – it’s hayahay up there and there is no trouble there, no problems to face, etc., “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’.” (Mt. 17:5). Peter’s speaking was interrupted by the sudden appearance of a bright cloud, symbolizing the presence of God the almighty, the Ancient One.  Once again we have heard the voice of the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who said during the Baptism of John in the River Jordan, the same words God has spoken on this mountain of Transfiguration, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.”  God wants us to listen to his Son, not to Moses or to Elijah or to Peter, but to Jesus, the beloved Son, because Jesus does the will of his Father, as compare to Moses who rebelled against God in Meriba and Massa when he hit the stone three times as he was told only once; or as to Elijah who thought God was in the earthquake or strong wind in Mount Carmel.  The Transfiguration is a critical moment for Jesus also for his life and death depend on it, and it happened on the mountain in the presence of God, giving witness by Moses and Elijah - Christ's redemptive sacrifice.

“Listen to him,” is an invitation of God the Father for all of us followers of Jesus Christ.  By listening to him, we become obedient.  When we obey him, we do not go wrong but rather have eternal life with him.  After that experienced on the top of the mountain, St. Peter realized in his life the importance of the Transfiguration event.  He was able to listen to Jesus attentively, thus he proclaimed: “We did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we had been eyewitnesses of his majesty” (2 Pt 1:16).  He was able to recall what had happened when Jesus showed his majesty and splendor and glory.  As he continued, “For he received honor and glory from God the Father when that unique declaration came to him from the majestic glory, ‘This is my Son, my beloved, with whom I am well pleased’.” (2 Pt. 1:17).   He confessed that he was telling the truth that, “We ourselves heard this voice come from heaven while we were with him on the holy mountain” (2 Pt. 1:18).  He challenged his listeners by concluding, “Moreover, we possess the prophetic message that is altogether reliable.  You will do well to be attentive to it, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts” (2 Pt. 1:19).  When the Transfiguration is considered an anticipation of the death and resurrection of Jesus, the presentation of a shining Jesus on the mountain as the Son of God who should be listened to can be understood in the context of the statement by Jesus in the resurrection appearance in Matthew 28:16–20: "all authority hath been given unto me in heaven and on earth." As prophet Daniel concluded in his vision, “The one like a Son of man received dominion, splendor and kingship; all peoples, nations, and languages serve him.  His dominion is an everlasting dominion that shall not pass away, his kingship, one that shall not be destroyed” (Dan. 7:14). We can also proclaim, “The Lord is King, the Most High over all the earth” (Ps. 97).