Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord
(Daniel 7:9-10.13-14; II Peter 1:16-19; Mark 9:2-10)
We come from a Christian culture. Experts say that the situation is changing, however, and that in short time most people won’t know more about Jesus than we know about the Hindu god Vishnu. But for the time being at least people have a good idea of what it means to rise from the dead.
But what of the time before Jesus’ resurrection? Would the people living in, say, the year 32 have any idea of what to rise from the dead means? Would even Jesus’ apostles understand the concept? Probably not! The resurrection from the dead would probably boggle their minds like the idea of human beings growing like apples on a tree puzzles us today.
On this Feast of the Transfiguration we hear how God gives Jesus’ disciples a clue about what shall have happened when Jesus is reported as having risen from the dead. The gospel today relates that Jesus’ body is changed into a realm of light so bright that his clothes appear to gleam. He takes on a completely new form of being which allows him to communicate with saints long dead. God confirms this vision of glory by naming Jesus his “beloved son” and saying that he should be listened to. When news comes that Jesus has risen from the grave after a scandalous death, the disciples will not be fettered by doubt. At least their leaders will remember what they were privileged to see on the mountain. They will be sure that Jesus is the son of God whose story the world needs to hear. And they will sacrifice their very lives so that all might receive this good news.
