8/6/2023 (Sunday) Today’s gospel reading: Matthew 17:1-9
1 Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves.
2 And he was transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light.
3 And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, conversing with him.
4 Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
5 While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud cast a shadow over them, then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.”
6 When the disciples heard this, they fell prostrate and were very much afraid.
7 But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and do not be afraid.”
8 And when the disciples raised their eyes, they saw no one else but Jesus alone.
9 As they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, “Do not tell the vision to anyone until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”
8/6/2023 (Sunday) Today’s gospel reflection: Matthew 17:1-9
From the ancient time until today, people have been mesmerized and enamored with glitz and glamour and with pomp and pageantry. Upon seeing Jesus being transfigured with His face shining like the sun and his clothes becoming white as light, Peter said, “It is good to be here” and even suggested to build three tents. Certainly, the magnificent display of splendor was tantalizing to the eyes and perhaps the apostles wanted the visual spectacle to last a little longer. Alas, the voice of the Father thundered through the clouds and their momentary feeling of grandeur turned into terrible fear. A few moments later, they saw Jesus alone and the same being as before as if nothing had happened.
Was there really a transfiguration? In the eyes of the Apostles, yes it was because up to that moment, they had not seen anything like it. Yet the glory of Jesus’ divinity has been there even before the creation of the world (John 1:1, John 17:5). His glory was there when He was born in a manger. His glory was there when He was performing miracles and proclaiming the Kingdom of God. His glory was there when He was comforting widows and eating with sinners. However, just like any other human being, the Apostles failed to see the glory of God in the ordinary events of life.
A few days after the “Transfiguration” event, the glory of Jesus was on full display upon the cross on Mount Calvary but alas, the Apostles except for John, were nowhere to witness it. Peter, James and John witnessed the glory of Jesus in splendor but they were not able to witness the full glorification of Jesus in shame.
May the Holy Spirit guide us and open our eyes to see the glory of God in the ordinary events of our life.
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