Gospel Reflection – The Transfiguration of Jesus

6th August 2017

Sometimes, without knowing it or even being aware of it, we can get locked into our own world and our particular situation. We can forget about or lose sight of the fact that we are part of a much bigger world.

In the gospel for today’s feast Jesus takes some of his friends away from the business of the village and market place. He invites them to travel with him as he makes his way up the mountain. This is not unusual. We know from the gospels that Jesus often went off by himself to the mountains to pray. While they were there praying something wild and wonderful happened. Jesus was transfigured; he was changed; his face shone like the son, and his clothes became as white as light. Imagine how surprised, shocked and taken aback those with Jesus were. Once composed, Peter utters the famous words, ‘Lord, it is wonderful for us to be here’. But more importantly than what was said, is what they heard; ‘This is my Son, the beloved, he enjoys my favour, listen to him’.

These words are as much meant for us today as they were for those who first heard them. Today, we are surrounded if not bombarded by news all the time. We now have         twenty-four hour news on our televisions, news from around the world arrives in seconds to us through the internet and there is no end to magazines and newspaper we can buy. They are a filled with news, but not all of it good news; some of it may even be fake news.

The word and message that Jesus speaks to us and offers is life-giving and life-changing. The words of Jesus, nourish, nurture, and sustain and us, if we open our hearts and lives to hearing it. As John’s gospel reminds us, Lord, you have the message of eternal life.

The Transfigurations gives us a brief and fleeting glimpse of Jesus in all his glory. It is a taste of what is to come. It is offered to us encourage and challenge us in our daily lives. It reminds us that our lives are far more than what see, hear and experience every day. It is not just a matter getting through the day. Being a follower of Jesus is about living with meaning, purpose and hope. The transfiguration not only offers us a glimpse of Jesus in all his glory, it also offers each of us a foretaste of what God promises each of us in the fullness of the Kingdom.

We may never experience anything as powerful as the Transfiguration. But every day in countless and seemingly small ways God does break into our world and our daily lives. Every time we experience a moment of peace, joy, reconciliation or forgiveness, God is with us. Every time that we reach out to help another person is a moment of transfiguration both for ourselves and for those we help. Each time somebody shows care and concern for us is a moment when God is reaches out to us.

This week, let us open our hearts so that we may hear Jesus speaking to us. May we slow down and look for moments of small but important times of transfiguration in our own ordinary daily lives.

• Michael Moore OMI