Matthew 17: 1-9
While many cultures respect and show regard for their ancestors and some early civilizations were thought to have worshipped them, we generally do not tend to perceive moments where the past and present have blended together. However, on mountain high, Jesus chit chats with Elijah and Moses, both ancient figures no longer ‘alive’. In addition, the description of the Jesus that Peter saw was very similar to descriptions of the Risen Lord, an event which has not yet occurred. So, in this way, Peter was witnessing the coming together of, the blending of, the co-existence of the past, present and future.
We call this event the Transfiguration and it may be easy to get swept up in notions of Jesus’ figure ‘crossing over’ to the spiritual world and changing in appearance, but the alteration may not be the central theme. According to the New Jerome Biblical Commentary, because the idea of metamorphosis in classical paganism is very prevalent, the term and concept is avoided in the passage and the commentaries. The pivotal concept is that “Jesus becomes a being of light.” Both the Paulist Commentary and St Jerome’s indicate that the event is a prequel to the Resurrection.
The Paulist Commentary points out that God interrupts Peter, thereby suggesting that Peter is being silly and foolish. However, St Jerome’s Biblical Commentary indicates that Peter’s concept of building of three tents is a reference to the Jewish feast of Tabernacles, which places the event in a liturgical setting. Peter is the Rock of the church and liturgy, specifically, the Eucharistic liturgy is the heart of the Church, the Body of Christ. This idea is compelling to me because I can’t hear the word ‘Transfiguration’ without thinking about ‘Transubstantiation.’
I believe, with all the references and suggestions of the gospel passages related to the Transfiguration, we cannot help but connect it to Transubstantiation. In my experience, when I partake in the Eucharist, when the Transubstantiation of the Lord has taken place, I can’t help but sense a light, a joy, a ‘lightness.’ ‘My yoke is easy; my burden light.’ And going forth, bearing the light of Christ, bringing it to those we encounter throughout the week is a light burden, is it not? After all, light weighs nothing.
Journal Exploration
Recall three times, when you really noticed ‘light’ as somehow extraordinary; include contextual details of the event as well. Write a concluding paragraph drawing on patterns and threads of the three events. What might the Lord have been communicating to you through these ‘extraordinary light’ events?
Writing to Pray 