Jesus undertook several mountain hikes during his ministry. In today’s Gospel we heard about one such hike with his three trusted disciples, Peter, James, and John. Through such hikes, Jesus distanced himself from everyday life and gained physical and spiritual strength. In all such hikes Jesus spend much time to pray on the mountains. Thus it was customary for Jesus to be on the top of the mountain and spend time in prayer with God.
According to the gospel of the Evangelist Luke, Jesus was transfigured on the mountain. Through the transfiguration Jesus was showed to these three disciples who Jesus really was and what relationship Jesus had with God the Father. The outward signs of the transfiguration were the change in his face; it shone like the sun and his clothes became white like brilliant light. Added to this was the appearance of two people who had lived on earth years before and were very familiar to them: Moses and Elijah, and the voice calling from the cloud.
I would like to briefly explain some key points of this event.
First: The Mountain
The transfiguration of Jesus took place on a high mountain. In the Jewish experience of God, the mountain had great significance. For example, Moses encountered God on Mount Sinai and received the Ten Commandments. Or Abraham was to sacrifice his son on a mountain. The Jews therefore believed that they could meet God on a mountain.
Second: The characters of Moses and Elijah
Moses and Elijah appeared to Jesus, Peter, James and John, and these two great prophets spoke with Jesus. Moses was the leader of the Israelites who liberated them from Egyptian captivity to Israel, and Elijah was the epitome of all Jewish prophets. The transfiguration of Jesus on the mountain and the presence of Moses and Elijah show that Jesus is the fulfillment of the Jewish expectations, namely the promised Messiah.
Third: The proposal to build huts
Peter’s proposal to build three huts for Moses, Elijah, and Jesus also demonstrates the close connection between Jewish tradition and the Jewish faith, with the Christian faith. The account of the Transfiguration of Jesus begins with the phrase, “six days after,” meaning six days after the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles, which they celebrate every year to commemorate their 40 years of living in the desert in huts and tents.
Fourth: The Voice of God
Jesus’ encounter with God on Mount Tabor is similar to Moses’ encounter with God/Yahweh on Mount Sinai. Moses was alone, but Jesus was accompanied by his three beloved disciples. Moses received the Ten Commandments and was commissioned to give them to the people as their legal system for social and religious life. Jesus was again confirmed as the beloved Son of God, whom all should obey. The presence of the disciples and the prohibition to keep this experience to themselves until Jesus’ resurrection show that the Transfiguration was meant primarily for these disciples in order to convince them of who Jesus was. Based on this experience of God they were moved to proclaim Jesus’ message after his death and resurrection. Jesus had already mandated during his lifetime that his proclamation of the Kingdom of God would be continued by his disciples.
The Transfiguration of Jesus was a wonderful experience for Peter, James, and John. They witnessed the encounter of Jesus with God and the experience of Jesus’ special relationship with God. For What we experience in every celebration of the Eucharist is also a transfiguration of Jesus. All external signs can help us deepen our experience of God and thereby better cope with everyday life. I wish all of us the willingness, good thoughts, and much joy for this experience of God in our Eucharistic celebration which is an experience of transfiguration.
Fr. Joseph Pandiappallil MCBS