Feast of the Transfiguration

Today, Fr Paul reads from the Gospel of Matthew (17: 1-9) as we celebrate the Feast of the Transfiguration.

Fr Paul reflects that this is the moment when the disciples, who are present with Jesus, were shown the divinity of Jesus.  He says, this scene reminds us of Moses’ encounter with God in the Sinai.  The description there, too, was that his face shone like the sun, just as Jesus’ face shines in this encounter with God.

If you’ve ever wondered why Moses and Elijah are the ones who are present, it is because they are the two Old Testament figures who experienced the presence of God on the holy mountain.

We hear in this Gospel the declaration of Jesus as the Son of God.  This is, in fact, a repeat because this declaration was also made at the time of Jesus’ baptism.  God declares Jesus as his son and also that he is the divine teacher. God says to us ‘listen to him’ .

Jesus knows this awesome moment can’t last and he brings the disciples back to reality, reminding them at the very end that he still has to suffer, die and then rise from the dead.

As we share this awesome moment and as we know that Jesus is divine through the declaration and the events of this Gospel, Fr Paul invites us to take some time today, to simply put our prayers to Jesus, knowing that he is the Son of God.