The Transfiguration

The Transfiguration (August 6)

Readings: Daniel 7:9‑10,13‑14  2 Peter 1:16‑19   Matthew 17:1-9

            In the midst of the liturgical year the feast of the Transfiguration is a reminder of the exalted nature of Jesus as God's beloved Son and of our own future as glorious children of God.  Let us affirm Jesus' hidden dominion over the cosmos in the words of this Sunday's psalm: "The Lord is King, the most high over all the earth" (Ps 97).

            In the first reading Daniel's vision is meant to console the faithful Jews who were being persecuted for their faith by King Antiochus IV Epiphanes (c. 175‑163 B.C.E.).  In the first part of Daniel's vision, four terrifying beasts, symbolizing the nations who have oppressed the Jewish people for almost five hundred years, emerge out of the chaotic sea and appear to dominate the world.  But then Daniel witnesses in a vision the future triumph of God's kingdom over the powers of violence and evil.  He sees the heavenly throne room of "the Ancient One" and watches the destruction of the fourth beast and the removal of the dominion of the other beasts.  This is followed by another vision in which  a human figure, "one like a son of man," ascends "with the clouds of heaven" into the heavenly court and receives from the Ancient  One "dominion, glory, and kingship" which "shall not be destroyed."

            The interpretation of the vision follows in 7:15ff.  An anxious Daniel asks a figure in the heavenly court (the interpreting angel of apocalyptic visions) to explain the vision to him.  He learns that the four beasts are four kingdoms who will arise out of the earth and that the son of man represents “the saints of the Most High” who will receive the kingdom and possess it forever.  For us, as Christians, Jesus, who faithfully carries out his Father's will, is the ultimate fulfillment of this vision.

            2 Peter is written as a "testament" in the name of the head of the apostles to defend two important features of apostolic preaching:  Jesus' promise to come again as judge and the need for his followers to live morally upright lives.  It seems that certain "false teachers" were denying both of these doctrines.  In our selection, the author refutes the accusation that the apostles' preaching of the Lord Jesus Christ's second coming in power (parousia) was based on "cleverly concocted myths."  2 Peter insists that Jesus' return in judgment is based on a divine revelation.  First, the author appeals to the fact that Peter was an eye‑witness of the transfiguration.  In this event Jesus was proclaimed by God the Father as the unique divine Son: “This is my beloved Son on whom my favor rests.”  Secondly, the author appeals to "the prophetic message" which is "reliable" because it comes directly from God.  If Christians will keep their attention closely fixed on Jesus' divine sonship and his second coming, they will have "a lamp shining in a dark place until the first streaks of dawn appear and the morning star rises in (their) hearts."

            In Matthew's account of the transfiguration God reveals Jesus as his final word, the fulfillment of the Law and the prophets.  The event occurs on a high mountain, a place of revelation for Matthew (Matthew 5‑7; 28:16‑20; see Exodus 19‑40).   The radiance of Jesus' face and garments is reminiscent of Moses' transfiguration on Mount Sinai (Exodus 34) and indicates that now Jesus manifests the divine presence.  At the sudden appearance of Moses and Elijah conversing with Jesus, Peter proposes to build three booths honoring them equally.  With that a bright cloud overshadows them and commands: "This is my beloved Son on whom my favor rests.  Listen to him."  As at the baptism scene (Matt 3:17), God's heavenly voice reveals Jesus as the fullness of revelation in completion of the Law and the prophets.  When the disciples hear the divine voice, they prostrate on the ground in fear.  But the scene ends with tender reassurance.  Jesus comes forward and lays his hand on them with a healing gesture (8:3,15;  9:25,29) and commands: "Get up!  Do not be afraid."   Having been given a reassuring preview of Jesus' glorious destiny, they resume their journey with Jesus to his death in Jerusalem.  As they descend the mountain, Jesus commands them: "Do not tell anyone of the vision until the Son of Man rises from the dead."   The only path to that glory is through the suffering and death which Jesus must endure.