Word to the Wise
Sunday, March 13, 2022 - 2nd Sunday of Lent - C
[Gen 15:5-12, 17-18; Phil 3:17-4:1 or 3:20-4:1; Luke 9:28b-36]"This is my chosen Son; listen to him." [Luke]
If the story of the transfiguration could be summed up in a single line, the quote above would be that line. But, simply to read that line and ignore the richness of the account is to deprive oneself of a great experience, which all three of the "synoptic" gospels recall. Here are some of the amazing elements of the story.
The event occurs on a mountain, the traditional biblical location for revelation. (In 1988, I visited the place that tradition assigns, and the view is awe-inspiring.)
Jesus is revealed as the Son of God, the fulfillment of the Law and the prophets, personified in Moses and Elijah.
Jesus reveals his complete identity to his three closest companions: Peter, James and John. Peter, typically, tries to keep the moment going by offering to build tents for Jesus, Moses and Elijah!
The voice from the cloud repeats God's revelation of Jesus as the "beloved Son," which occurred at Jesus' baptism by John the Baptist [Luke 3:22]
Jesus' "exodus" will be his passion, death and resurrection, which he predicts the first of three times shortly before and after the transfiguration. The connection between this glorious revelation and the ignominy of the cross will only be vindicated by the resurrection.
The account of the transfiguration challenges all expectations we might have about Jesus, just as the experience challenged Peter, James and John. The ministry, the suffering and the resurrection are all part of God's providential plan of salvation. We cannot separate out one element and ignore the others. The teacher/healer, the suffering figure on the cross, and the glorified resurrected body are all the same person. The account of the transfiguration in the gospels is a reminder to all who come after it of who Jesus truly is: the Son of God. AMEN
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