TRANSFORMED TO WITNESS

 MEDITATION ON THE TRANSFIGURATION OF THE LORD
(Dan 7:9-10, 13-14; 2Pet 1:16-19; Mt 17:1-9)

Have you ever wondered why the Church celebrates the Transfiguration of Jesus but does not celebrate His other miracles, such as walking on the water, the Raising of the dead, Feeding of the Multitude, etc? This is because the Transfiguration, like the Baptism of the Lord, is more than a miracle; it was a landmark event that ‘characterizes’ or ‘defines’ the mission of Jesus. It is a foretaste of where our faith-journey ends, the glory of Jesus (2Thes 2:14).

In the first reading, Prophet Daniel saw a vision that depicts the Transfiguration.  St Peter in the second reading recalls his experience that day as a first hand witness to the Transfiguration of Jesus. “For when He received honour and glory from God the Father and the voice was borne to Him by the Majestic Glory, ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,’ we heard this voice borne from heaven, for we were with Him on the holy mountain.” For Peter, this was a landmark event that formed their conviction in the power and glory of Jesus as the Messiah. The Transfiguration event—the experience of the glory of Jesus—became a ‘transforming’ moment in their lives. Like a consuming fire, all their mind and heart are ‘taken up’ into that experience. So, they now witness to Jesus with their lives.

It is interesting to note that Peter did not mention any of the great miracles of Jesus as the ‘reason’ they are His witnesses, except the Transfiguration, which has a direct relationship to His Resurrection. Sometimes, people give the impression that Christianity ‘glories’ in human suffering. In other words, it is as if we must ‘have problems’ before we can believe and be saved! The landmark of the Christian faith is the Glory of Jesus. It is our hunger; it is our destination.

That is why when Peter saw the sparkling Jesus as He was taking with Moses and Elijah, he ‘lost himself’ in that glorious cloud, and said, “Lord, it is well that we are here; if you wish, I will make three booths, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” As he was saying this, “a bright cloud overshadowed them.” God Himself covered them with His ‘tent of glory.’ It was like David who wanted to build a house for God, but God objected, saying that it was He who would establish a dynasty for David (2 Sam 7:1-17). The glorified Jesus was introduced to them by a voice from the cloud, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to Him.”

Therefore, listening to Jesus, modelling our lives after Him and imitating His righteousness are the ways we respond to the invitation to enter into His glory. And each time we ‘taste’ His glory, we too shall be witnesses like Peter. Great miraculous moments may fade away; in fact, we may not even accrue to God the miracles of our lives. But a little taste, a small glimpse into His radiant face leads us on, such that even when we try to put it aside, it resurfaces every now and then. It is a testimony that we have an eternal destination in the glory of Jesus. That is why our faith is glorious; our Liturgy is glamorous, adorned with beauty, and believers are joyful and courageous, though they have many things to endure.

Have you ever had a glimpse of the glory of Christ Jesus; Maybe in reading the Bible, in the Eucharist, Confession, in acts of Charity, in your prayers, etc? The Transfiguration is the mark of our Christian life; in it resides the glory that moves us forward. May the Glory of Christ Jesus overshadow you today that you be lifted above every difficulty and shielded from every evil, through Christ our Lord, Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic,
Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.
Thursday August 6^th, 2020.
Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord.
www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com