Fifth Sunday of Lent (A)

March 29, 2020

Readings:

First Reading: Ezekiel 37: 12-14

Psalm 130 “With the Lord there is mercy, and fullness of redemption.”

Second Reading: Romans 8: 8-11

Gospel reading according to John 11: 1-45

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Homily: Raising Lazarus from the Dead

After Jesus brought sight to the born blind man in the temple in Jerusalem, he stayed outside Judea for few days.  Nobody knew where he was staying on that days.  Meanwhile, in Bethany, two miles from Jerusalem, the family of Lazarus was mourning for Lazarus was gravely ill and at the verge of death. “Now a man was ill, Lazarus from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha” (John 11: 1). His sisters Mary and Martha were looking for Jesus to cure him but they did not find him.  They were worrying about the condition of Lazarus.  As we recall this family of Lazarus, Mary and Martha, they were close friends of Jesus.  When Jesus was in Jerusalem he stayed in their house.  One time, when Jesus was with this family, Mary brought out a perfumed oil and poured lavishly at Jesus′ feet and dried them with her hair.  “Mary was the one who had anointed the Lord with perfumed oil and dried his feet with her hair; it was her brother Lazarus who was ill” (John 11: 2). Mary showed her love to Jesus by preparing his death through this anointing of alabaster oil.  This Mary was sister of Lazarus, Jesus′ friend, who was dying.

Both sisters, Martha and Mary, sent word to Jesus for the cause of Lazarus.  “So the sisters sent word to him saying, ‵Master, the one you love is ill′.” (John 11: 3).  They would like to convey to him the condition of Lazarus whom he loved.  The word of Martha and Mary came to the attention of Jesus.  But, he did not come at once to the place where Lazarus was.  “When Jesus heard this he said, ‵This illness is not to end in death, but is for the glory of God, that the Son of Man may be glorified through it′.” (John 11: 4).  He stayed some few days more to the place where he was for he wanted to show and give glory to his Father due to Lazarus condition.  In spite that Jesus loved these sisters (Martha and Mary) and brother (Lazarus).  “Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus” (John 11: 5).  He remembered the pitiable condition of this family whom he loved.  But God has planned in this situation of Lazarus.  Still, he remained unseen or gave any indication of his whereabouts.   “So when he heard that he was ill, he remained for two days in the place where he was” (John 11: 6).  He did not show for two more days to Martha and Mary.  Lazarus was dead.

When the proper time had come, he told his disciples to go to Judea where the house of Lazarus, Martha and Mary was, to see and to console the sisters.  “Then after this he said to his disciples, ‵Let us go back to Judea.′  The disciples said to him, ‵Rabbi, the Jews were just trying to stone you, and you want to go back there′.”  (John 11: 7-8).  Though the disciples did not know the plan of Jesus, and that they were afraid to the Jews who would stone them due to the violation of the Sabbath rest, complaint about his plan.  They did not realize that Jesus wanted to see the dead body of Lazarus and do something great in their sight  Jesus who was aware of what had happened a few weeks ago in the temple near the Pool of Siloam, he was not afraid to go back but rather he was eager to visit the house of Lazarus.  “Jesus answered, ‵Are there not twelve hours in a day?  If one walks during the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world.  But if one walks at night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him′.” (John 11: 9-10). He encouraged his disciples that nothing will happen during the day because they can see clearly the road they trod; as in the night, they might stumble and fall to the hands of their enemies for they do not see the road and the place clearly for they were not familiar.  To enlighten the minds of his disciples he told them the true purpose of going back to Judea.  “He said this, and then told them, ‵Our friend Lazarus is asleep, but I am going to awaken him′.” (John 11: 11).  He told them in figure of speech that Lazarus was sleeping, he will wake him up.  His disciples did not understand clearly what he meant.  “So the disciples said to him, ‵Master, if he is asleep, he will be saved′.  But Jesus was talking about his death, while they thought that he meant ordinary sleep” (John 11: 12-13).  So he talked plainly and clarified to them what was the meaning of asleep and his going to awaken him.  He was going to Judea to the place of his beloved friend Lazarus for was already dead and he was going to resurrect him from the dead.  “So then Jesus said to them clearly, ‵Lazarus has died.  And I am glad for you that I was not there, that you may believe.  Let us go to him′.” (John 11: 14-15).  He told them also that surely they will see something great that will make their faith strong and lasting, and that they may believe in him.  One of his disciples, Thomas by name, with courage and confidence, encourage his fellow disciples to follow Jesus in Jerusalem whatever happens to them.  “So Thomas, called Didymus, said to his fellow disciples, ‵Let us also go to die with him′.” (John 11: 16).  He even said to them that they accompany Jesus until the end and will die with him.  

Jesus ad his disciples came near Bethany, but they did not directly went to the house of Lazarus.  “When Jesus arrived, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days  Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, only about two miles away” (John 11: 17-18).  Jesus learned that Lazarus was dead and buried in the tomb four days already.  While many Jews came to support and console (makiramay) to the two sisters.  “And many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them about their brother” (John 11: 19).  It is the nature of the Jewish people when somebody died, they come and be one with the relatives who left behind.  That is why Jesus did not come at once in the house of Lazarus so that he might not be seen by those Jews.

Jesus sent a message to Martha that he was coming and nearing to their house.   “When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him; but Mary sat at home” (John 11: 20).  So Martha learned that their best friend is coming she went out to their house to meet Jesus, but Mary remained sitting and weeping at home.  When Martha met Jesus, she poured out to him her loneliness and hopelessness to their lost.  “Martha said to Jesus, ‵Lord if you had been here, my brother would not have died.  But even now I know that whatever you ask of God, God will give you′.” (John 11: 21-22).  She said also to him that if he comes soon, her brother Lazarus might still be alive.  But she also showed her confidence in him, that whatever he asks in God it will be given to him, even the most impossible one – a resurrection from the dead.

The conversation between Jesus and Martha begun.  Jesus guaranteed Martha.  “Jesus said to her, ‵Your brother will rise′.” (John 11: 23).  Jesus said that Lazarus will rise, will be live again and they will see him again.  Martha showed her belief and faith in the resurrection someday.  “Martha said to him, ‵I know he will rise, in the resurrection on the last day′.” (John 11: 24).  She believed that his brother, and all who have died, will rise in the resurrection on the last day.  Jesus revealed to her that he is the resurrection and the life.  “Jesus told her, ‵I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.  Do you believe this′?” (John 11: 25-26). Jesus affirmed that whoever believes in him will rise from the dead and resurrect and died no more.  Martha reaffirmed her faith and belief in Jesus.  “She said to him, ‵Yes, Lord, I come to believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, the one who is coming into the world′.” (John 11: 27).  She never doubted Jesus, who he is and what he can do.

After conversing with Jesus, she went home and informed Mary about the coming of Jesus where nobody can hear her about Jesus’s coming.  “When she said this, she went and called her sister Mary secretly, saying, ‵The teacher is here and is asking for you′.” (John 11: 28).  Jesus was also looking for Mary to give her his support and encouragement.

When Mary heard of the name of Jesus and that he was looking by him, she immediately rose up from her sitting and quickly went out to meet Jesus.  “As soon as she heard this, she rose quickly and went to him.  For Jesus had not yet come into the village, but was still where Martha had met him” (John 11: 29-30).  Jesus was not yet at the vicinity of Bethany when he was met by Martha, and also in that place where Mary met him.  The Jews too stopped crying out and followed Mary to the tomb thinking she will go to where Lazarus was laid.   “So when the Jews who were with her in the house comforting her saw Mary get up quickly and go out, they followed her, presuming that she was going to the tomb to weep there” (John 11: 31).  When Mary rose from where she was sitting, the Jews also stood up and followed wherever Mary was going.

When Mary and some Jews arrived to where Jesus was they saw Jesus, while Mary prostrated herself, knelt down on her knees and repeated what Martha said to Jesus.  “When Mary came to where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said to him, ‵Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died′.” (John 11: 32).  In her voice there was hopelessness and discouragement and discontent but without any blame or accusation.

Jesus saw in the eyes of Mary the hardship of a lost, her eyes were full of tears and at the same time tired of crying.  “When Jesus saw her weeping and the Jews who had come with her weeping, he became perturbed and deeply troubled, and said, ‵Where have you laid him?′  They said to him, ‵Sir, come and see′.”  (John 11: 33-34).  With that condition, Jesus became worried and troubled.  There was immediacy when he asked the place where they laid the dead body of Lazarus.

Jesus cannot control his self, he cried and everybody saw him wept.  “And Jesus wept.  So the Jews said, ‵See how he loved him.′ But some of them said, ‵Could not the one who opened the eyes of the blind man have done something so that this man would not have died′?” (John 11: 35-37). He showed his love to his friend Lazarus.  But the other Jews observed by saying what had happened in the Temple near the Pool of Siloam where he brought sight to the man born blind, but he was not able to cure the sickness of Lazarus.  In their voice there is lacking in Jesus part, he missed the opportunity to prove his love to his friend Lazarus and to the two sisters, at the same time there was condemnation.

Jesus was deeply troubled and worried. He also heard what the other Jews commented.  “So Jesus perturbed again, came to the tomb.  It was a cave, and a stone lay across it.” (John 11: 38).  He and the rest went to the tomb, a cave and a stone laid across it. 

Jesus without any further ado, commanded to open the tomb by removing the stone laid across it.  “Jesus said, ‵Take away the stone.′ Martha, the dead man’s sister, said to him, ‵Lord, by now there will be a stench; he has been dead for four days′.” (John 11: 39). But Martha said to Jesus that Lazarus was four days already dead and his corpse was decaying, it has bad odor also (naaagnas, mabaho at nabubulok na).  

But Jesus reminded her by what he had said to her.  “Jesus said to her, ‵Did I not tell you that if you believe you will see the glory of God′?” (John 11: 40).  The people present there in the tomb, the two sisters Mary and Martha, his disciples and the Jews, will see the glory of God the Father. “So they took away the stone.  And Jesus raised his eyes and said, ‵Father, I thank you for hearing me.  I know that you always hear me, but because of the crowd here I have said this, that they may believe that you sent me.′ And when he had said this, he cried out in a loud voice, ‵Lazarus, come out!′ The dead man came out, tied hand and foot with burial bands, and his face was wrapped in a cloth.  So Jesus said to them, ‵Untie him and let him go′.” (John 11: 41-44).  So some men took away the stone covering the cave tomb of Lazarus, then Jesus prayed to God the loving Father who listened always to pleading of his Son, Jesus Christ, and his glory was made known to all people, when Lazarus rose up from where he laid down, he came out of the tomb still covered with burial cloths all over his body, and Jesus to some of them to untie him and let him go free. “Now many of the Jews who had come to Mary and seen what he had done began to believe in him” (John 11: 45). Those present, especially the Jews and some of his disciples who did not believe in him, started to believe in him, that truly he is the Son of God who resurrects the dead and gives life.

Fourth Sunday of Lent (A)

March 22, 2020

Readings:

First Reading: 1 Samuel 16b, 6-7, 10-13a

Psalm 23 “The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.”

Second Reading: Ephesians 5: 8-14

Gospel reading according to John 9: 1, 6-9, 13-17, 34-38 (or 9: 1-43)

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Homily: The Man Born Blind

Back to his ministry in Jerusalem and while roaming around he saw a man born blind begging in one of the corners of the temple.  “As Jesus passed by he saw a man blind from his birth” (John 9: 1).  His heart was moved with pity when he saw the misfortune condition (kalunus-lunos na kalagayan) of that beggar.  He cannot leave behind nor avoiding his glance with that poor blind man, did he want to alleviate his poor condition, so he came to him.

Without saying anything, he just bent down, spat with his saliva on the ground, made clay from the earth, and put it on the blind man’s eyes.   “He spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva, and smeared thee clay on his eyes and said to him, Go wash in the Pool of Siloam – which means Sent –.  So he went and washed, and came back able to see” (John 9: 6-7).  Maybe the blind man was surprised, caught unaware and was not able to move because there was someone touching his eyes with mud. He just heard a voice that he was commanded to go and wash his eyes at the Pool of Siloam which means “sent.”  Maybe somebody or his apostle or a relative helped him to go to the pool to wash the clay in his eyes.  And suddenly, he can see now.  Since his birth he was not able to see his family members, his surroundings, and maybe the temple in which his source of income comes from.  This time he can see everything, even the people surround him.  And he saw also Jesus who gave him sight but he did not know him yet.  As usual, Jesus after doing what is right and good for his neighbors, he left and moved and continued his journey.

The blind man became happy and rejoicing, for he can see clearly as in the noon day sun.  Those who knew him saw him and became perplexed for they knew he was blind since birth, but now he can see and rejoicing and even jumping on his both feet out of his thanksgiving.  “His neighbors and those who had seen him earlier as a beggar said, ‵Isn’t this the one who used to sit and beg?‵  Some said, ‵It is,‵ but others said, ‵No, he just looks like him.‵  He said, ‵I am′.” (John 9: 8-9).  His neighbors and those who knew him did not believe what they saw.  They were asking each other whether he was that blind man they knew or not.  Others said, it was he while others said that it was not he.  In the end, the former blind man confirmed that it was he.

To be sure that he was the blind man they knew and now he can use both of his eyes, his neighbors and those people who knew him brought him to the Pharisees to check whether he was telling the truth, for it was a miracle they were witnessing.  “They brought the one who was once blind to the Pharisees” (John 9: 13).  The Pharisees, the elders and the leaders of the temple have the right to declare whether a sinful man, like this man born blind is healed and forgiven, especially those with physical defects, those who are sick, lepers, and those who are possessed by demons, so they can go back to their homes and families, in their communities, and in worshipping in the temple, and to have a normal life.

It so happened that Jesus gave sight to the man born blind on a Sabbath.  Sabbath day for the Jews is rest and holy day.  No one, human or animal, is allowed to work on Sabbath.  “Now Jesus had made clay and opened his eyes on a Sabbath” (John 9: 14).  Nevertheless, for Jesus what is important is the life of the poor, the needy, the marginalized and the deprived.  For him it is better to do good on rest day than doing nothing to the one who needs dire help and mercy.  For Jesus to do good on Sabbath day is doing the will of God, for God continues creating and renewal all things.

When the Pharisees saw the man cured from his blinded, they became excited.  They wanted to hear all the details of the event.  They were amazed of the miracle in front of them. “So then the Pharisees also asked him how he was able to see.  He said to them, ‵He put clay on my eyes, and I washed, and now I can see‵.” (John 9: 15).  The man who now can see told them all the details and the evidence is now that he can see and nobody can deny or question the good things that happened to him for many knew he was born blind.

But some Pharisees who were strict to the Law of the Sabbath did not believe that it was made by God to give sight to the blind on the Sabbath day who God commanded himself to observe.  “So some of the Pharisees said, ‵This man is not from God, because he does not keep the Sabbath.  But others said, ‵How can a sinful man do such signs‵. And there was a division among them” (John 9: 16).  Some Pharisees present believed that it was truly made by God for it was good and full of love, mercy and compassion He showed to this man born blind.  God did not do bad nor worse to His children, especially those who are in dire need.

To avoid quarreling between all the Pharisees they asked the man who received grace of sight.  “So they said to the blind man again, ‵What do you have to say about him, since he opened your eyes?‵ He said, ‵He is a prophet‵ .” (John 9: 17).  Though it was not yet clear to him what was going on with the Pharisees for their lack of faith despite the evidence was already in their front.  So he declared to them and certified it that the man who healed him on a Sabbath is a prophet, the one sent by God.

The Pharisees felt insulted by the man.  So they called name names of him.  “They answered and said to him, ‵You were born totally in sin, and are you trying to teach us?‵ Then they threw him out” (John 9: 34).  The man, on his simplicity, humility and ordinariness, easily understood the working of God to all who need help and mercy, which the Pharisees because of their high education, training and learning did not reach the goodness and love of God.  It was hard to the Pharisees to understand why the sinners, such as those who are sick, ill, lepers, deformed, possessed by demons, are forgiven instantaneously by God.  That is how the feeling of the Pharisees when they heard what the man said regarding the person who cured him. They threw him out of the temple.  But the man full of thanksgiving, praising and worshipping God.  The Pharisees rejected God and not the man.

Jesus was still around in the temple area, watching and waiting of what will happen in the encounter between the man born blind and the Pharisees and the people in the temple.  He heard everything, even the throwing out of him from the temple.  “When Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, he found him and said, ‵Do you believe in the Son of Man?′  He answered and said, ′Who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?′” (John 9: 35-36).  He met the man born blind and talked to him with assurance.  He also asked the man if he believe to the one who cured him, in the Son of Man.  Because he was blind before so he did not know who this Son of Man is.  He asked Jesus to show to him who he is.  “Jesus said to him, ‵You have seen him and the one speaking with you is he‵.” (John 9: 37).  Jesus told him that he saw him already when he opened his eyes and see after washing in the Pool.  He said also that he is the one speaking to him – Jesus, the Son of Man and the Son of God.  “He said, ‵I do believe, Lord,‵ and he worshipped him” (John 9: 38).  Now that he can see clearly he knows to whom the belief and worship belong.

Third Sunday of Lent (A)

March 15, 2020

Readings:

First Reading: Exodus 17: 3-7

Psalm 95 “If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.”

Second Reading: Romans 5: 1-2, 5-8

Gospel reading according to John 4: 5-42

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Homily: The Samaritan Woman and the Life giving Water

Jesus was journeying long and wide in different places, towns and villages came to the town of Sychar in Samaria.  “Jesus came to a town of Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of land that Jacob had given to his son Joseph.  Jacob′s well was there” (John 4: 5).  He came to the place where Jacob had a land given to Joseph in ancient times.  There was also a cistern there where water is drawn up for drinking of humans and animals.   Jesus was tired in his roaming around and in his journeying doing God′s will.  “Jesus, tired from his journey, sat down there at the well.  It was about noon” (John 4: 6).  When he saw the well, he sat down on its side to rest for a while.  It was a hot noon day and the sun was in its summit.  Nobody was there, and no one was fetching water because its noon time and its hot.  Women usually are the ones fetching water.  And in the well they have a chance to chat, talk and to get news in their community. 

When suddenly, out of the blues, a woman came, to fetch water alone and at noon time were no other women are drawing water.  This woman was different from the other women.   “A woman of Samaria came to draw water.  Jesus said to her, ‵Give me a drink′.” (John 4: 7).  Jesus initiated the dialogue with that woman by asking her water to drink. “His disciples had gone into the town to buy food” (John 4: 8).  Jesus was also left alone for his disciples went to the village to buy food for them to eat.  The woman was amazed and confused.  She did not expect a man will talk to her, for women are prohibited from being seen talking in public with another man except their husbands, brothers or fathers; and she recognized him as a Jew, for the Jewish people do not mingle with the Samaritan people.  Jews think that Samaritans were unclean and impure stock in the Israelite (Hebrew) society.  The present Samaritans are remnants of the foreigners and pagans inter-married with the remaining Jews when they were repopulated after the Israelites were in exile.  “The Samaritan woman said to him, ‵How can you, a Jew ask me, a Samaritan woman, for a drink?′ – For Jews use nothing in common with Samaritan” (John 4: 9).  For her, it was a big scandal to talk to a strange man and at the same time to a Jew, their rival.

Jesus assured her and removed her doubt about his intention in asking water.  “Jesus answered and said to her, ‵If you knew the gift of God and who is saying to you, Give me a drink, you would ask him and he would have given you living water′.” (John 4: 10).  He showed her the gift of God which is the life giving water, and introduced himself as the one who will give her this life giving water.  The woman challenged Jesus for he has no bucket to fetch water and the water is less and it is deep for it is dry in the hot noon.  “The woman said to him, ‵Sir, you do not even have a bucket and the cistern is deep; where then can you get this living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us this cistern and drank from it himself with his children and his flocks′?” (John 4: 11-12). The woman knew and understood that the life living water was the stream of running water.  If her forefather Jacob found this stream of underground running water, and Jesus was offering her life giving water, therefore he was greater than Jacob as what this woman understood what Jesus was saying.  She did not understand what Jesus meant, for he was referring to himself, the source of the life living water.

He explained to her by comparing the Jacob′s well to himself.  “Jesus answered and said to her, ‵Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I shall give will never thirst; the water I shall give will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life′.” (John 4: 13-14).  With this water, that is in Jacob′s well, those who fetched in it will be thirsty again and continue fetching.  The life living water that Jesus will give is making one    always satisfied and quench their thirst.  There is no thirst any longer and no more fetching water in the deep well.  The life living water that Jesus will give is overflowing, never dry up, and always full to the brim. Everybody will be satisfied, content and full.  The woman became convinced.  “The woman said to him, ′Sir, give me this water, so that I may not be thirsty or have to keep coming here to draw water′ ...” (John 4: 15).  She wanted to have this life living water.  She asked him to give her this life living water so that she might no longer thirst and always coming back to the cistern to fetch water. 

She also recognized Jesus as a prophet.  “′I can see that you are a prophet.  Our ancestors worshipped on this mountain, but you people say that the place to worship is in Jerusalem‵.” (John 4: 19-20).  She was reminded that in the ancient times her ancestors worship on this mountain, and still worshiping on that place near Jacob′s well, when they were not allowed to worship in Jerusalem.  All the Israelites believed God is in Jerusalem Temple and no other places.  But because the Samaritans were expelled in worshipping in Jerusalem they built their own temple. 

Jesus as a true prophet made a revelation to her. “Jesus said to her, ′Believe me, woman, the hour is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem‵.” (John 4: 21).  He said to her that God the Father is no longer being worship on this mountain nor in Jerusalem but in any places where there are true believers.

In spite the Samaritans and many other peoples of different tribes, races, nationalities, etc., do not understand what they are worshiping for, only Jewish people, the chosen people of God, understood it, for in the past, present and in the future salvation comes through Jesus, the Christ.  “′You people worship what you do not understand, we worship what we understand, because salvation is from the Jews.  But the hour is coming, and is now here, when true worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and truth; and indeed the Father seeks such people to worship him.  God is Spirit, and those who worship him must worship in Spirit and truth‵.” (John 4: 22-24).  Nevertheless, because of his coming, Jesus will teach all peoples of the world in One, Holy Lord God the Father of all and Giver of all in the living Spirit and in truth – the life giving water.

Another realization that woman recognized about Jesus, that he is the Messiah, the Christ which Jesus confirmed. “The woman said to him, ′I know that the Messiah is coming, the one called the Christ; when he comes, he will tell us everything.′ Jesus said to her, ‵I am he, the one who is speaking with you′.” (John 4: 25-26).  She knew also the coming of the Messiah, but she did not know who he was.  What she knew, when the Messiah comes he will tell all the truth in Spirit and in truth.  Jesus told her that he is he, the Messiah, the Christ they are waiting for, who is to come and he comes to tell all in the Spirit and in truth.

After the woman returned to the town and told all the townspeople about her encountered with Jesus, the prophet, the Messiah, the Christ, they went out and met Jesus in the well.  They invited him to preach in their town and many of them believed in him.  “Many of the Samaritans of that town began to believe in him.  When the Samaritans came to him, they invited him to stay with them; and he stayed there two days.  Many more began to believe in him because of his word, and they said to the woman, ‵We no longer believe because of your word; for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is truly the savior of the world′.” (John 4: 39-42).  They said to the woman that they believed because they heard Jesus speaking to them personally.

Second Sunday of Lent (A)

March 8, 2020

Readings:

First Reading: Genesis 12: 1-4a

Psalm 33 “Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.”

Second Reading: 2 Timothy 1: 8b-10

Gospel reading according to Matthew 17: 1-9

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Homily: The Transfiguration of Jesus

By this time Jesus was very popular, though he had many callings (names) and many sayings about who he was.  Some said he was John the Baptist who raised from the dead, others Elijah, and still others said one of the prophets of old.  And there were still many other names that called or given to him.  When the time came to reveal himself who he really was, he brought with him some of his chosen disciples in the mountain top were no one can see them.   Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves (Matthew 17: 1).  He brought with him Peter, James and his brother John on the top of a high mountain, most probably Mount Tabor, according to the tradition.

When they reached the top of the mountain, suddenly and instantaneously Jesus changed in appearance.  And he was transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light (Matthew 17: 2).  He transfigured in front of them.  As St. Matthew described his appearance – Jesus face was shining and glowing like the day light sun in its brilliant high noon.  It makes one blind by its to brilliance; and his clothes was so shining white as no other bleaches can whiten any clothes.    

At this moment of transfiguration immediately Moses the Lawgiver and Elijah the great prophet of old appeared.  And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, conversing with him (Matthew 17: 3).  They were talking to Jesus about the forthcoming passion, suffering, death in Jerusalem, and at the same time his resurrection.  They were confirming to Jesus the long plan of God for him since the foundation of the world and the salvation of all men and women from their sins due to his self-sacrifice and offering in the Cross in Calvary. 

Though Peter was witnessing everything that was happening but he did not understand what was going on.  He pretended that he knew what they were conversing, so he joined the dialogue with his human knowledge and capacity.  He used the human plan of escapism rather than doing the will of God.  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 (Matthew 17: 4).  He did not know what he was talking about.  Peter wanted that they remained on the top of the mountain rather than to go down and mixed with the ordinary, simple, poor, and marginalized people. He proposed to pitch tents where Jesus, Moses and Elijah stay, for he did not know what he was saying.

Peter continued talking when suddenly a thick bright clouds covered the whole area where they were.  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 pleased; listen to him′ (Matthew 17: 5).  And the voice of God the Father was heard.  As in the time of Moses when he was on the mountain of Sinai, and of Elijah when he was in the cave of Carmel, the God of Host appeared and spoke to them.  The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ reaffirmed in recognizing Jesus in what He said after his baptism, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am pleased; listen to him.”  God proved his promised that he will send his Son for the salvation of human beings from their sins to be fulfilled in Jerusalem.

The disciples bent down and worshipped Jesus after hearing what the Lord God said about him. When the disciples heard this, they fell prostrate and were very much afraid (Matthew 17: 6).  They also covered their heads by facing on the earth, to show their respect, reverence and of fear of the Lord (meaning their faith and belief in the power of God).  They were afraid in the sense the saw God and they thought that they might die for seeing Him face to face.

They remained in that position until they were touched by Jesus.   But Jesus came and touched them, saying, ′Rise, and do not be afraid‵ (Matthew 17: 7).  They realized that they were still alive.  And when the disciples raised their eyes, they saw no one else but Jesus alone (Matthew 17: 8).  But, except Jesus, they did not see any longer Moses and Elijah in their presence.  They were gone when the thick bright light disappeared. 

After that incident on the top of Mount Tabor, Jesus told his disciples that the must go down to see and serve the anawim of God with strong instruction.  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: 9).  Nobody should know or that they tell no one what really happened on the top of the mountain until everything is fulfilled to the last detail, that is when the Son of God and of Man was raised from the dead.