The Transfiguration

03-05-2023Weekly ReflectionFr. Aruldoss

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Good morning to you all! Our Immaculate Parish PCCW will host their Lenten soup on coming Tuesdays. It begins after the 4:30pm Mass in the Hansen Hall. You are most welcome.

On the second Sunday of Lent, the Gospel Reading speaks about Transfiguration of Jesus. Before going to explain the meaning of transfiguration of the Lord, we need to understand the background of it. Jesus told his disciples clearly exactly what being Messiah was going to mean for him.

Instead of being a mighty warrior-king who would crush all the enemies of God's people, he was going to be rejected, arrested, condemned, tortured and eventually killed by the very hated enemies they expected the Messiah to overthrow. This was too much for Peter and he objected strongly. In turn, he was severely scolded for obstructing God's way of doing things. Even more, Jesus had said that, if anyone wanted to be his follower, then they would have to be prepared to walk the same road of rejection, oppression - and even death. What Jesus had said was totally against all they had ever heard about the expected Messiah. It is in this depressed mood; the transfiguration takes place.

And so, to strengthen them, to help them see that the way of Jesus would lead to victory and triumph, Jesus takes Peter, James and John, and goes up to Mount Tabor. When they reached the top, “He was transfigured before them. His face was shining like the sun and his clothes became white as light.” In the Transfiguration, the union of God with humanity in Jesus Christ, was made manifest in a special way. Jesus becomes transfigured. His disciples received a glimpse of his divinity shining forth through his humanity. This transfiguration was necessary for Jesus to give his disciples a glimpse of his divinity. Moses and Elijah were present there. Moses is the symbol of the laws of God. Elijah is the symbol for all of the prophets. They too became a witness for Jesus’ glory and divinity. In the Transfiguration, Peter, James and John got a glimpse of the future glory of Jesus’ resurrection. Peter tries to interpret it “I will make three tents here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah” as a lasting memorial of what has happened.

In conclusion, the transfiguration of Jesus is a small glimpse of Christ’s risen glory. It gives hope that we might reach that same destination, the abolition of death and the bringing to light of life and immortality. So, we need to have our destination in mind. Of course, There is a danger of turning our eyes away. We need Christ to lift us up, to take away our fear. We need to keep our vision fixed on the Christ who touches our very lives. So, let our eyes of faith be fixed on God, and let our hearts be filled with hope, and let us joyfully look forward to the ultimate glory that awaits us all, bearing in mind always - “IT'S BETTER HIGHER UP.” And this is the Good News of today. Have a great and Blessed Sunday.