Our Transfigured Lord

Matthew 17: 1 - 19
1
And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain apart.
2
And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his garments became white as light.
3
And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Eli'jah, talking with him.
4
And Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is well that we are here; if you wish, I will make three booths here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Eli'jah."
5
He was still speaking, when lo, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him."
6
When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces, and were filled with awe.
7
But Jesus came and touched them, saying, "Rise, and have no fear."
8
And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.
9
And as they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, "Tell no one the vision, until the Son of man is raised from the dead."
10
And the disciples asked him, "Then why do the scribes say that first Eli'jah must come?"
11
He replied, "Eli'jah does come, and he is to restore all things;
12
but I tell you that Eli'jah has already come, and they did not know him, but did to him whatever they pleased. So also the Son of man will suffer at their hands."
13
Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist.
14
And when they came to the crowd, a man came up to him and kneeling before him said,
15
"Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic and he suffers terribly; for often he falls into the fire, and often into the water.
16
And I brought him to your disciples, and they could not heal him."
17
And Jesus answered, "O faithless and perverse generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him here to me."
18
And Jesus rebuked him, and the demon came out of him, and the boy was cured instantly.
19
Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, "Why could we not cast it out?"

The Transfiguration of Jesus
Meditations and Prayers for the Second Week of Lentby Victor Hoagland, C.P.
Matthew 17:1-9

The glorious transfiguration of Jesus on the mountain before his disciples came after he predicted his suffering and death and told his followers they must follow him.
Undoubtedly they found his sayings hard to hear. He had to go to Jerusalem, endure great suffering and be put to death, Jesus told them, adding: “Anyone who wishes to be a follower of mine must renounce self, take up his cross and follow me.”

Peter, as usual reacting for the others, protested “Heaven forbid! No, Lord, this shall never happen to you.” Most likely he was also thinking: “Nor should it happen to me, either.”

Yet are we less disturbed to hear about carrying a cross and losing our life?

In answer to his disciples’ misgivings, Jesus took Peter, James and John up a high mountain and was transfigured before them. They saw his face shining like the sun and his garments brilliant white.

They were filled with awe as they realized his glory was also theirs, a glory not only to be experienced in his future kingdom, but also here on earth.

The New Testament Letters of Peter, influenced by Peter’s experience, promise we will share God’s glory even now, in this present life. Even now, the dark places here and now can shine if we hold them up to the light of faith. ( 2 Peter 1:16-19)

It is not God’s will that the Cross burden us too much.

Even now, Jesus reveals his glory to us wayfarers, that we may rejoice. Even now, we can see intimations of God’s glory in our earthly lives, brief encounters, transitory moments, transfigurations of a lesser kind, as Jesus leads us to the mountain to see his glory.

Lord Jesus,lead me to that mountain place of stronger light and surer sound where I may see your glory.

The mountain pilgrims climb,up steep valley paths,their clothes covered with everyday dust,and tired in their bones.

The mountain of truth: "Come, let us climb the Lord’s mountainto the house of the God of Jacob,where God instructs us in his waysthat we may walk in his paths."

The lovely mountain where lowly sparrows feast, and one day outshines thousands elsewherebecause you are there, my God.

The mountain close by,within,that I climb everyday;the holy ground I stand on now.

Light and truth,bright as blinding snow,whom Peter, James and John saw,"Lead me on,and bring me to your holy mountain,to your dwelling place."