Transfiguration?

From WikiMedia Commons. Saint Catherine's Monastery, Sinai (Egypt) / K. Weitzmann: "Die Ikone"

Jesus was transfigured.  His appearance changed.  I believe he became other worldly in appearance.  Many commentators state that the transfiguration is a view into the glory Jesus has as Son of God and will receive in his resurrection from the dead.¹  This is the glory that God wants to give us.  This is the glory we participate in because we are part of the Body of Christ, the Church. (See Col 1:18; Eph 5:23)

During this week, we are reminded that we are not merely creatures.  God has a purpose for us: We are to have the glory that the resurrection provides.  Our prayer, penance and almsgiving should bring us closer to the glory of God.  Although what we do does not earn us God’s love and salvation simply by prayer, penance and almsgiving, our Lenten practices do prepare us to receive the grace of God.  Like when we pound on a piece of beef so that the marinade can permeate it, our Lenten practices  (when done in the right spirit) allows the graces of God to permeate our being.  When we allow the grace of God to be a part of us, we also allow the glory of God to be manifested in us.

In St. Luke’s version of the transfiguration (which we read this weekend), the voice says that Jesus is the Chosen, unlike the versions (of Ss. Matthew and Mark) which say that Jesus is the Beloved.  Because Jesus is chosen, he is to be listened to.  God chose Jesus to carry out His Will and proclaim His Word.  God’s offer of salvation is made through Jesus.  Thus, to listen, that is, to hear and put into practice what Jesus teaches is paramount.  When we are able to listen and then do what the Chosen One has proclaimed, we also prepare ourselves to receive the glory that God wants to give.  Thus, prayer, penance and almsgiving must include that which Jesus teaches and commands: love.  After all, love is the reason we were made and the reason we were saved.

Let us pray this week to persevere in our Lenten preparations.


1.  See, for example, Luke Timothy Johnson, The Gospel of Luke, Sacra Pagina Series Volume 3 (Collegeville: The Liturgical Press, 1991), 152-153.