The Manifest Glory Of The Lord
Introduction
Sometimes in life it happens that we begin to see in a completely new light someone we have known for a long time, with qualities and potentials we never thought of. This was the experience of the apostles at the transfiguration of Jesus. He was surprisingly different and greater than they had imagined. Now they understood him better, they enjoyed his presence more deeply and they were more eager to listen to him. The change they saw in Jesus made it easier for them, too, to change and to become more like Jesus. May this become our experience also as we celebrate this Eucharist.
First Reading Introduction: The Son of Man
At a time of persecution, the prophet sees a vision of a transfigured world. The son of man – symbolizing God’s people, perhaps the Messiah – will no longer suffer but be honoured and will share in God’s glory.
1 Reading: Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14
As I watched: Thrones were set up and the Ancient One took his throne. His clothing was bright as snow, and the hair on his head as white as wool; his throne was flames of fire, with wheels of burning fire. A surging stream of fire flowed out from where he sat; thousands upon thousands were ministering to him, and myriads upon myriads attended him. The court was convened and the books were opened. As the visions during the night continued, I saw: One like a Son of man coming, on the clouds of heaven; When he reached the Ancient One and was presented before him, The one like a Son of man received dominion, glory, and kingship; all peoples, nations, and languages serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that shall not be taken away, his kingship shall not be destroyed.
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 97:1-2, 5-6, 9
R. (1a and 9a) The Lord is king, the Most High over all the earth.
The LORD is king; let the earth rejoice;
let the many islands be glad.
Clouds and darkness are round about him,
justice and judgment are the foundation of his throne. R.
The mountains melt like wax before the LORD,
before the LORD of all the earth.
The heavens proclaim his justice,
and all peoples see his glory. R.
Because you, O LORD, are the Most High over all the earth,
exalted far above all gods. R.
Second Reading Introduction: Like a Lamp Lighting the Way
The apostles present at the transfiguration did not fully realize what was going on. Later they understood and testified that Jesus is not a myth but the real foundation of faith and life.
2 Reading: 2 Peter 1:16-19
Beloved: We did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we had been eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received honour and glory from God the Father when that unique declaration came to him from the majestic glory, “This is my Son, my beloved, with whom I am well pleased.” We ourselves heard this voice come from heaven while we were with him on the holy mountain. Moreover, we possess the prophetic message that is altogether reliable. You will do well to be attentive to it, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.
Gospel: The True Face of Jesus
After Jesus had spoken to his apostles about his coming suffering, Jesus and the apostles—and we—are given a vision of the glory and resurrection that will come.
Gospel Reading: Luke 9:28-36
Jesus took Peter, John and James and led them up a high mountain. There his appearance was changed before their eyes. Even his clothes shone, becoming as white as no bleach of this world could make them. Elijah and Moses appeared to them; the two were talking with Jesus. Then Peter spoke and said to Jesus, “Master, it is good that we are here; let us make three tents, one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” For he did not know what to say; they were overcome with awe. But a cloud formed, covering them in a shadow, and from the cloud came this word, “This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him.” And suddenly, as they looked around, they no longer saw anyone except Jesus with them. As they came down the mountain, he ordered them to tell no one what they had seen, until the Son of Man be risen from the dead. So they kept this to themselves, although they discussed with one another what ‘to rise from the dead’ could mean.
Commentary
Jesus took Peter, James and John up the mountain to pray, and while he prayed they fell asleep! Most translations charitably say they hadn’t quite dropped off, “Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep; but since they had stayed awake, they saw his glory” (NRSV). The JB has them “heavy with sleep, but they stayed awake.” The NIV says, “they were very sleepy, but when they became fully awake….” The CCB alone puts them soundly to sleep! Honest sleep is better than pretending to be awake! When Jesus said so often to people (perhaps even shouted), “Stay awake!” he didn’t mean half-awake and half-asleep. I take it that those three were as good as asleep. So don’t feel so bad if you feel drowsy or fall asleep at prayer! Peter, James and John did! St. Thérèse of Lisieux famously slept at prayer and felt no guilt about it in a guilt-ridden period of Catholic spirituality, even though she was by nature very scrupulous. It says, “They awoke and saw his glory.” Had they been in a Zen Mountain Monastery the monitor would have kept them awake with the kyosaku (keisaku), the “awakening stick”! Someone asked a Zen master once, “Could I become enlightened during sleep?” And he replied, “If it doesn’t happen to you during sleep it will never happen, because what you call your waking life is only another form of sleep!” However, Jesus knew his 3 close companions (innermost circle) are weary with the day’s drudgery. Yet, he takes them up with the purpose of revealing his glory to them. They and Moses and Elijah are all living and dead witnesses to the person of Jesus. We are invited to bear this witness.
Blessing
In his transfiguration
Jesus revealed his deepest self.
May we believe in him
as the source of all transfiguration
of ourselves, of our mentality,
of this earth.
And may Christ be our strength
to work toward this transfiguration,
with the blessing of almighty God,
the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. R/ Amen.
Go in peace and let your face be bright with the radiance of Christ’s light. R/ Thanks be to God.