REFLECTION FOR TODAY
August 6, 2021
By Fr. Andrew Ibegbulem, OSA
Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, “Rabbi, it is good that we are here! Let us make three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” He hardly knew what to say, they were so terrified. Then a cloud came, casting a shadow over them; from the cloud came a voice, “This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.” Mk. 9:5-7
The feast of the Transfiguration is full of meaning and beauty for all Christians. Jesus’ transfiguration not only gave His disciples and us an awesome glimpse of his glory. It also gives us a glimpse of the transformation we will experience at the resurrection.
On the mountain of transfiguration, Peter was overwhelmed by the experience of the transfigured Jesus that he hardly knew what to say as reflected in our gospel reference of today. The father’s voice was heard saying “This is my beloved Son. Listen to him”.
Why would the Father tell the disciples to listen to Jesus? The disciples were to listen to Jesus because they had not yet understood His words. This is evident in the fact that just yesterday reflection and reference, Jesus rebuked Peter because he could not accept His teaching about His coming passion and death.
The Transfiguration was a true mercy. These disciples had never seen anything like it before. It was most likely this act of mercy that ultimately helped them to accept the hard truth that Jesus was trying to teach them about His coming suffering and death. If the Father in Heaven Personally gave witness to Jesus, then everything that Jesus had said was trustworthy.
The transfiguration experience of Peter, James, and John in which they saw the glorified Lord was given to them as a vision meant to strengthen them for the difficult days ahead. As we read through the Gospels and the many teachings God has given us through the Church, think about whether there are some teachings with which you struggle? Or in your own life, on a personal level, are there some things you know God wants of you, but you find it difficult to accept?
When confusion sets in, that means we are not listening, or we are not fully hearing what God is saying to us or we are not understanding. And though we will not see the Transfigured Lord with our eyes and hear the Voice of the Father with our ears as these three disciples did, we must choose to believe all that God has said as if it were the Transfigured Lord, with Moses and Elijah, and the Father Himself speaking clearly and directly to us.
Reflect, today, upon this powerful experience given to these disciples by our Lord. Try to place yourself in the scene to witness Jesus transfigured in the most glorious way, with Moses and Elijah and with the thundering Voice of the Father. Allow the Father to speak also to you, telling you that all He has spoken through the Scriptures, the Church and within your own conscience is true. Allow this revelation to convince you on the deepest level to acknowledge not only the divinity of Jesus but also to “Listen to Him” in every way.
Transfigured Lord, You are glorious beyond imagination, and You revealed a small glimpse of this glory to Your disciples to help them trust You more fully. May I also trust in You more completely, knowing that all You have spoken to me is true. Please remove any doubt and fear in my life so that nothing keeps me from embracing Your holy will. Jesus, I trust in You.