“GOD REVEALS HIS GLORY AND MAJESTY”

BASED ON CATHOLIC LITURGICAL READINGS

THE TRANSFIGURATION OF THE LORD

THEME: “GOD REVEALS HIS GLORY AND MAJESTY”

((Readings: 1^st: Dan 7:9-10.13-14; Ps: 96; 2^nd: 2Pet 1:16-19; Gos: Mt 17:1-9))

On this Sunday, we join our mother church to celebrate the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord. We are celebrating and rejoicing at the occasion when Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Savior of the whole entire world, Son of Man and Son of God, was transfigured, that is transformed in His being and appearance, to reveal to the three of His closest disciples at Mount Tabor, His true nature and His intentions to all of us. Transfiguration means to change and transform the appearance of somebody into something more beautiful, majestic and glorious.

Jesus took with him Peter, James and John and led them up a high mountain where they could be alone and pray. In their presence his face shone like the sun and his clothes became as white as the light. Suddenly two great men were seen talking with him; The presence of Moses revealed that Jesus was coming to fulfil the law, Jesus was the new Moses to deliver us from slavery of sin, and Elijah revealed that Jesus was a fulfillment to the message of prophets.

A similar situation is when Moses spent forty days and night on mount Sinai speaking with God his face was transfigured. “When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the testimony in his hands, as he was coming down the mountain, Moses did not know that the skin of his face was radiant because he was speaking with God. And when Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, the skin on his face was so radiant, they were afraid to go near him.” (Ex34: 29-30)

What is the relevance of transfiguration to our life as Christians today?

IT IS A MOMENT OF GLORIFICATION.

Transfiguration was a moment of glorification of the son of God. Jesus assumes the heavenly beauty and majesty. In the presence of the three disciples, God shows his majesty, glory and splendor. Peter cannot keep this secret to himself, but today he shares his personal encounter, together with James and John with God on the mountain with the whole church. Confidently, he proclaims: “We have seen his majesty ourselves.” He insists: “We heard this ourselves (‘this is my beloved son; he enjoys my favor’) when we were with him on the sacred mountain. Moses and Elijah were glorified with Jesus. They saw the shekinah, the glory of the divine presence. It was so impressive that they wished to build tents and remain there forever.

Peter proclaims this in order that we might know that we shall share in this same glory of Christ if we believe and persevere in carrying our daily crosses. This is a testimony that heaven is a reality, and Moses and Elijah are already there with God. This Glory and splendor will be the reward for the righteous. We shall also share in the same glory if we overcome.

IT A MOMENT OF REVELATION

During this particular occasion, the Lord revealed Himself in all of His glory and majesty, accompanied by Moses and Elijah. He laid bare everything that He had planned from the very beginning, the plan to save all of us mankind, His beloved ones, from destruction and sufferings due for us because of our wickedness, disobedience and sins. God revealed how he was to fulfill all his promises, both what was written in the Law and spoken by the prophets through Jesus Christ. Transfiguration therefore was a moment of assurance that whatever was going to happen to Jesus was in line with God´s plan for our salvation.

In addition, God reveals the true nature of Jesus Christ. The one we knew as the son man called Joseph; God declares him as his beloved son. “This is my son, the beloved; He enjoys my favor. Listen to him”: Jesus has two natures, both human and divine. The Transfiguration of the Lord is therefore a revelation of Who the Lord Jesus truly is, and what His agenda and will is for us, what His ministry and works entailed for us, in all that He would do for the sake of our salvation and liberation from the tyranny of sin and death.

IT IS A MOMENT OF INNER TRANSFORMATION

On the mountain there was inner transformation that took place in the life of Jesus and the disciples. This gave Jesus the strength and power to carry the cross. It was not the will of God to take away the cup of suffering from his beloved son, therefore He gave him the grace to drink it. Similarly, whenever we come in the presence of God, God does not take away our crosses but He grants us the grace to bear it with love and joy. He does not change our physical situation, but he changes our heart. May your encounter with the Lord in his word and Eucharist today transform your heart and grant you the grace you need in your life.

In brief, transfiguration is a miracle that revealed to us the real nature of Jesus Christ, both human and divine, the son of man and the son of God. God reveals his agenda for our salvation through death on the cross. In addition, Jesus is showing us a glimpse of the glory we all shall share. However, this would only be after sharing His suffering. Therefore, the desire for this glory gives us the courage to face the challenges of this world. It is this desire that helps us to persevere in our faith. This holy and noble desire must also keep us focused at all times. Whenever, we are in the presence of God we get internally transformed in the heart and externally our face begins to shine.

Prayer: May the Lord make his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you. Amen (Num 6:25)

Fr. Antony Muchui, SVD

Blessed Sunday (Do you want to become a Divine word missionary? Contact our vocation office +255 629269140 or +254 792 299 140)

“May the heart of Jesus live in the hearts of all People. Amen”