Homily for the Transfiguration of Jesus Christ: August 2013

Today we celebrate the Transfiguration of Jesus.  Today is not simply about celebrating a moment of revelation in which Jesus’ divinity was made clear to his disciples.  This event also includes the experience and example of Peter, James and John who become an archetype for us.  They symbolically express how the presence of God in our lives can be both awe inspiring and transformative. 

Beginning with our story from the book of Exodus we see that Moses is transformed by the time he spends close to God.  The author expresses this transformation by describing the glowing or shining nature of Moses’ face.  Old Testament scholars will talk about this as expressing Moses’ privileged status as God's servant.  But I believe there is a deeper message for us Christians, Moses as another example for the rest of us. 

In the second reading we heard today, the author writes in the voice of Peter who most likely was author’s teacher.  He recounts testimony of hearing the voice of God declare Jesus as His Son!  In a sense reminiscing about the experience we hear of in today's gospel story.  He assures us of the reliability of the apostolic message by appeal to the transfiguration of Jesus in glory.  Here, as elsewhere, the New Testament insists on necessity of preserving these stories of Jesus and the truths of the faith; particularly that Jesus is the son of God. 

In the gospel story we heard today of Jesus’ transfiguration, Moses and Elijah play a pivotal role.  They represent the Old Testament traditions of the law and the prophets; which acted as a counterbalance for each other.  At the end of this episode, the heavenly voice will identify Jesus as the one to be listened to now.  He fulfills both the law (given through Moses) and the prophetic tradition (started by Elijah) and begins a completely new era of God's relationship with the human race.

Jesus transfiguration was a profound experience for the three disciples who were present.  Hearing from the tradition of Peter, we can see that it was held as a reality check or validation of Jesus' message and example.  It is also an illustration of how our lives will be transformed if we allow Christ to enter deeply into our spirit.  Just as it was a transformative experience for Peter, James and John.  We will certainly not glow like Moses or like Jesus himself.  But, like Peter, James and John we will be changed in gradual and yet noticeable ways.  We will become more tolerant of the irritating habits of others.  We will become more peaceful during times of stress, more thoughtful before taking action, i.e., we will become more Christ like.  We will even find that emotional and spiritual healing comes quicker after the many painful moments life in this world brings our way. 

My brothers and sisters let us take the example of Peter, James and John deeply into our hearts and each day ask Christ to send us his transforming grace.