Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, conversing with him.
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.”
While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud came a voice that said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.”
When the disciples heard this, they fell prostrate and were very much afraid. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and do not be afraid.” And when the disciples raised their eyes, they saw no one else but Jesus alone. 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: 1-9
We are called and invited to follow the Lord at all costs but we can only do that when we empty ourselves of our pride and ego so we can be filled by his grace. We’ve heard so much about conversion or change of heart, or transformation or change of self. The transfiguration of Jesus calls us to transform our lives in him. The public ministry of Jesus started after his Father confirmed him during his transfiguration.
The transfiguration event is an affirmation of God’s glory in Jesus. In his transfiguration, Jesus was confirmed by his Father and had affirmed his role in the salvation story. Two important figures of our faith—Moses and Elijah—stood side by side with Jesus, a signal that the prophecy has been fulfilled.
The apostles were overwhelmed by the vision, thus, Peter’s immediate reaction was really to enjoy such event and offered Jesus that he would build three tents for them. But a voice from a bright cloud was heard saying: “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.”
Let us listen to the voice of the Lord that unfolds and reveals to us every day, in every event of our daily life in the people we meet and relate.
Let us converse with God. Conversation is a two-way street: one talks while the other listens, and vice versa.
We listen to God in prayer, silence and solitude, and in solidarity with people. In prayer, we are able to talk and listen to God whom we have related to. After our prayer, our conversation with God, we are ready to discern his will for us.
Listening means spending moments of reflection before taking concrete steps and actions. This must be done in full trust and confidence in him alone. Prayer opens our hearts to God so God can freely talk and listen to us. The transfiguration of Jesus has given us a loud and strong order from his Father, which is to listen to his beloved son.
We can also have our own transfiguration experience today. We can transfigure ourselves in Christ. Transfiguration is when we mirror God in our daily living by our faith and good works. Our good works are manifestations of our love of God and neighbor. Doing good and doing acts of charity are what the will of God tell us today. We can do it small or big time. All of us are invited to have our own transfiguration that would lead us to authentic transformation.
Today, the Lord speaks to us in every situation we are in. In our daily meetings and encounters with people—may they be our friends or strangers—God is always present. In every event that is unfolding before us, God is present. And in every moment of confusion, doubt, and crisis is also a moment of Karros, a graceful opportunity for us to seek God. Let us keep our minds, our hearts and our hands open to God. The voice of God can be found in every person’s stories of struggles, of hopes, of dreams and pursuits. Let us read and know the will of God in the signs of our times and the calls of our faith.
Let us pray, reflect and ask ourselves:
Do I listen to Jesus’ voice?
Do I see and experience the Lord in His Word?
Do I have a transfiguration experience?
Have I transformed in the love of the Lord?
Prayer: Almighty and Ever- living God, you have called us to yourself and had invited us to be transfigured according to your will. May we be transformed in you so that we can share love and spread love. Our Lord Jesus, the Patriarch Moses and the Prophet Elijah remind us of our duties and responsibilities as children of the true one God. May we become sensitive like Peter to the needs of others especially those who are the least, the lost, and the last. Be our strength and light when we also have our own experience of transfiguration and transformation in love. This we ask through Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
Intention: Let us pray for those people whom we had promised to pray for; and for us that may we have our own experience of transformation and be enriched and strengthened in the grace of God. We likewise pray for those who have not heard the Word of God heartily that they may open their hearts and lives to the life- giving and graceful blessings of God.
