The Transfiguration of Our Lord
Readings: 1st: Dan 7: 9-10, 13-14; 2; Ps: 96; 2nd: Pt 1: 16-19; Gos: Mt 17: 1-9
This brief reflection was written by Fr. Njoku Canice Chukwuemeka, C.S.Sp. He is a Catholic Priest and a member of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit (Spiritans). He is a missionary in Puerto Rico. He is the Parish Priest of Parroquia la Resurrección del Senor, Canóvanas, and the Major Superior of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit (Spiritans), Circumscription of Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. He was the chancellor of the Diocese of Fajardo Humacao, Puerto Rico. Fr. Canice is a member of the Academy of Homiletics. For more details and comments contact him at: canice_c_njoku@yahoo.com, canicechukwuemeka@gmail.com
(https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8452-8392)
Today, the Holy Mother Church celebrates the feast of the transfiguration of the Lord. This feast is one of the immovable feasts of the church. In other words, it is celebrated on the day it falls (the 6th of August). Providentially, this year, it falls on a Sunday, the day of the Lord.
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In today’s first reading, the prophet Daniel presents us with his vision of the “Son of Man.” This vision prefigures Christ, the Son of God, who became the Son of Man by his humility and humanity. Hence, God’s son became the Son of Man for our sake and our glory. Christ is the king of glory, who comes in great splendor and majesty to rule over all nations, and we shall reign with Him in glory.
In the second reading, Peter bears a firsthand and eyewitness testimony about the glory Christ revealed to him and his colleagues. Confidently, he proclaims: “We have seen his majesty ourselves.” He confidently speaks because he had a personal encounter with Christ and saw his glory. So, he insists: “We heard this ourselves (‘this is my beloved son, he enjoys my favor’) when we were with him on the sacred mountain.”
Why would Peter be so confident about this? It is, in order that we might believe. It is in order that we might know that we shall share in this same glory of Christ. It is also that we might persevere. He confirms thus: So you will be right to depend on prophecy and take it as a lamp for lighting a way through the dark until the dawn and the morning star rises in your mind. Indeed, there and then, we shall share in his glory.
Jesus took three disciples to the top of a mountain in the gospel. There, he revealed a glimpse of his glory to them. Moses (the lawgiver) and Elijah (the great prophet) were glorified with him. They were glorified with Christ because they overcame. It was also a sign that the Old Testament was not wholly forgotten. Their efforts were not in vain. So, they share in the glory of Christ. We shall also share in the same glory if we overcome.
Saint Theresa of Avila wrote: “The more I meditate on heaven, the more I dislike this world.” Also, Blessed James Alberione wrote: “We should spend our life, with our knees bent on earth, and eyes raised to heaven.”No wonder the disciples did not want to go down after their majestic and mystical experience. They saw the shekinah, the glory of the divine presence. It was so impressive that they wished to remain there forever.
However, they had to come down because it was only a glimpse of the future glory. Jesus showed them a glimpse of the glory we all shall share. However, this would only be after sharing His suffering. Therefore, the desire for this glory gives us the courage to face the challenges of this world. It is this desire that helps us to persevere in our faith. This holy and noble desire must also keep us focused at all times.
So, the core message of the transfiguration of our Lord is quite simple. There is a glory that awaits all believers at the end of time. Also, like Mosses, Elijah, and all the triumphant saints, we shall reign with Christ and definitely, share in his future glory.
Peace be with you all!
Maranatha
frcanicenjoku 