+ Today we speak of the transfiguration of Jesus, and we
thank God for the three-fold witness of this experience. First, for Jesus, this
experience of manifesting his glorious inner nature was important for him (as this took place chronologically about a week before his
final trip to Jerusalem) – Jesus has this chance to remind himself that during
all of the trials and tribulations, scourgings and crucifixion that is to come,
his Father is in charge and everything would be ok – for he is his beloved Son.
It was also a time for him to chat with Moses and Elijah (representatives of
the Law and the Prophets) regarding the fulfillment of what has been the
foundation of the significance and credibility of his upcoming great words and
actions.
Secondly,
this experience is given so that Peter,
James and John – Jesus’ most intimate friends would be able
to stand strong when the unprecedented and earth-shattering events began to
occur. Especially Peter would need to have something “glowing and beautiful” to
remember, and James and John, when times of persecution against them would come
one day. Though each dealt with the persecutions differently, they all three
remembered and applied the vision at the proper and given time.
And
lastly, Jesus did it for us – as he did everything for us and our salvation: we
need to believe that all along, underneath it all, Jesus was always “glowing”
and “glorious” – he was always God – and he continues to be so: but what is of
capital importance is that he voluntarily laid all that aside so that he could
be tortured and put to death TO SAVE US, forgive us our sins and open the gates
of heaven for us at our deaths.
The
sin of man – from Adam on – was that horrendous, that
only God, who volunteered to become one of us, could save us. This is an
amazing and awesome love! This is the story of God the Father who says not only
today in the gospel passage, but every single day of our lives: Behold this Jesus, this magnificent Son of
mine, He is your brother, He is your Savior, He is your Redeemer, he is your
Friend: HEAR HIM, LISTEN TO HIM – and do as he did – and you shall reign
with him in his Kingdom forever!
Yes, Lord, you are our light and our salvation!
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