Luke 9:28-36, (37-43a)
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.
37 On the next day, when they had come down from the mountain, a great crowd met him. 38 Just then a man from the crowd shouted, “Teacher, I beg you to look at my son; he is my only child. 39 Suddenly a spirit seizes him, and all at once he shrieks. It convulses him until he foams at the mouth; it mauls him and will scarcely leave him. 40 I begged your disciples to cast it out, but they could not.” 41 Jesus answered, “You faithless and perverse generation, how much longer must I be with you and bear with you? Bring your son here.” 42 While he was coming, the demon dashed him to the ground in convulsions. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, healed the boy, and gave him back to his father.
43 And all were astounded at the greatness of God.
"Listen to Him"
The day Jesus is baptized in the River Jordan, the Father's voice is heard saying, “This my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased" in Matthew 3:17. Three years later, Jesus ends His ministry in Galilee with the Transfiguration and with a final miracle below the mountain before He heads up to Jerusalem for His Passion and Resurrection.
He starts His Messianic ministry by defeating the temptations of the evil spirit and ends His mission in Galilee by healing a young man who is tortured by an evil spirit. His main mission is to overcome evil.
A few days before the Transfiguration, Simon Peter proclaims that Jesus is the "Son of the LIVING GOD." Shortly thereafter, Jesus announces His imminent Passion in Jerusalem. Then that same Simon Peter rebukes Him and, like the other disciples, refuses the sufferings and the death of the Almighty and Eternal Messiah (Matthew 16:21-23).
Jesus responds to their doubt about His Divine sonhood with His Transfiguration. Moses and Elijah join Him, representing the law and the prophets, the living and the dead. Moses represents the law and the dead. Elijah represents the prophets and the living (because he was transported to heaven alive).
Furthermore, in order to dispel all doubt at the Transfiguration, the Father's voice rings out saying, "This is my Son, listen to Him” (v. 35). In other words, "Keep faith! Trust Him! Dispel all kinds of doubt and listen to Him!"
Once down from the mountain, He heals a young man from an evil spirit. The disciples were not able to heal the boy. Asking Him why not, Jesus answers, "This kind does not go out but by prayer and fasting" (Matthew 17:21).
Next Wednesday is Ash Wednesday and we begin the 40-day journey of Lent. This time is set by the Church for self-reflection, prayer and fasting. May we listen to Him and become the Light that the disciples saw during His Transfiguration.