August 6, 2021

Christ the Cornerstone

Holy Trinity is present in the Transfiguration of the Lord

Archbishop Charles C. Thompson

“In a resplendent cloud, the Holy Spirit appeared. The Father’s voice was heard: ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased. Listen to him’ ” (Entrance antiphon for Mass for the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord; cf. Mt 17:5)

Today, Friday, Aug. 6, our Church celebrates the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord. On this day, the fullness of our Triune God—Father, Son and Holy Spirit—is observed by the Apostles Peter, James and John as they witness the manifestation of Jesus’ glory on Mt. Tabor.

As we read in today’s Gospel (Mk 9:2-10), Jesus “was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no fuller on Earth could bleach them. Then Elijah appeared to them along with Moses, and they were conversing with Jesus” (Mk 9:2-4). The Apostles were used to seeing amazing miracles performed by Jesus. But never before had Peter, James or John witnessed his complete change of appearance from a man of flesh and blood into what appeared to be a purely spiritual being.

All three synoptic Gospels record this incredible epiphany (Mt 17:2-5, Mk 9:2-3, and Lk 9:28-36). It must have been awesome to behold. Not only was Jesus seen to be in conversation with Moses and Elijah—two of the most important figures in the Old Testament, representing the law and the prophets—but as reported by the evangelists, the Holy Trinity was clearly manifested in this sacred event. The Holy Spirit appeared in a cloud; the Father’s voice was heard; and Jesus, was seen to be the divine Son pleasing to his Father. No wonder the three Apostles were terrified. No wonder Peter asked Jesus to allow them to capture this moment for all time by building three shrines—“one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah” (Mk 9:5).

The first reading for today’s Mass (Dn 7:9-10, 13-14) recounts the vision of the Prophet Daniel that prefigures the Transfiguration of the Lord:

“As the visions during the night continued, I saw: One like a Son of man coming, on the clouds of heaven. When he reached the Ancient One and was presented before him, the one like a Son of man received dominion, glory, and kingship; all peoples, nations, and languages serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that shall not be taken away, his kingship shall not be destroyed” (Dn 7:13-14).

The “One like a Son of Man” who was expected by the people of Israel was to be a glorious, all-powerful ruler whose kingdom would never end. The Transfiguration of the Lord reveals Jesus to be this long-awaited Messiah, but with a difference. As would become clear at the time of his passion and death, the Son of Man, Jesus, did not come to claim an earthly kingship. His reign, which is indeed everlasting, is of the Spirit.

Today’s second reading from the Second Letter of St. Peter (2 Pt 1:16–19), testifies to the Lord’s glory through the eyes of the three Apostles. “We ourselves heard this voice come from heaven while we were with him on the holy mountain” (2 Pt 1:18), Peter says. “We did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we had been eye­witnesses of his majesty”

(2 Pt 1:16). Jesus’ glory is not the result of fantasy or myth. He is the way, the truth and the life, and his “spiritual” kingdom is real. “You will do well to be attentive to it, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts” (2 Pt 1:19).

The Transfiguration of the Lord is not a myth, but it is a mystery that the three faithful Apostles could not fully comprehend. That’s why St. Mark reports:

“As they were coming down from the mountain, [Jesus] charged them not to relate what they had seen to anyone, except when the Son of Man had risen from the dead. So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what rising from the dead meant” (Mk 9:9-10).

What happened on Mt. Tabor that day could only be understood in the light of the Lord’s death and resurrection. Dominion, glory and kingship are given to the Son of Man in anticipation of his obedience to his Father, his self-sacrificing love on the cross, and his sending the Holy Spirit with the gifts of wisdom and understanding. Peter’s impulse to build three tents is premature because he has not yet received the Holy Spirit.

Let’s ask the Blessed Trinity to help us see the glory of the Lord as it is manifested in our daily lives. Let’s pray for wisdom so that we can recognize Jesus as our Lord and Redeemer. †

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