Luke 9:28-36

28 Now about eight days after these sayings Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. 29 And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. 30 Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. 31 They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. 32 Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep; but since they had stayed awake, they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him.

33 Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah” — not knowing what he said. 34 While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were terrified as they entered the cloud. 35 Then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!” 36 When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and in those days told no one any of the things they had seen.

"It is good for us to be here!"

According to St. Luke's Gospel, the Transfiguration closes Jesus' ministry in Galilee. Jesus is then heading up for Jerusalem to fulfil His mission of salvation through His Crucifixion and Resurrection.

In Matthew 16:13-23, we realize that the disciples, though they have proclaimed their faith in Jesus being the Son of the Living God, refuse the idea of a suffering, crucified and buried Messiah. A suffering person contradicts their concept about the Almighty and Eternal Son of David who is sent by God to restore the Kingdom. For the real Messiah, though, there is no victory over sin and the achievement of Salvation without the Cross.

Jesus understands His disciples. He helps them overcome their doubts and wrong concepts. He responds to their doubts by giving them about eight days of reflection and meditation (v. 28). He was certainly praying with them and for them. A suffering Messiah takes the pain of His disciples.

As always, He has the best solution. He shows them who He is and invites them to see His Divinity through His human nature. The Transfiguration should help. He transfigures in their presence and discusses His imminent departure with the most revered prophets of the Old Testament, Moses and Elijah.

The disciples instinctively recognize Moses and Elijah. Their presence has special significance. In Matthew 5:17, Jesus says, "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them." With Moses and Elijah, Jesus is offering thanks and saying goodbye to the Old Testament, while delivering the message to the disciples for them to carry forward.

Peter is still insisting, "It is good for us to be here" why go up to Jerusalem where He will be put to suffering and to death?! He and His companions don't realize that His Transfiguration is a prelude to Him overcoming death through the Resurrection. Jesus' Cross leads to Life!

The Father's voice from heaven in v. 35 reminds us of that same voice at Jesus' Baptism in the River Jordan, "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased" in Luke 3:22. Here, the voice added for Peter, James, John, and for us, "Listen to Him!"

We often hesitate to see God's presence in our human sufferings. The Transfiguration can help us see the Divine Presence in our human nature as we "listen to Him." Entering the cloud (v. 34) symbolizes Jesus taking on our human nature so we can share in His divine nature.

Those same disciples will witness His agony at the Garden of Gethsemane, but they will seem to have forgotten what they saw at the Transfiguration. May we remember His deep truth when we experience suffering. Blessed Transfiguration Day!