Sunday March 4th, 2012

Gospel of Mark, chapter 9:7

What difference would it make to you if you could see and hear our Lord Jesus Christ in all His glory? Would you be changed utterly after experiencing the glory of Christ as the Son of God, knowing that you are not facing the problems and challenges of life alone? Would all your problems immediately begin to melt away? Would that vision inspire you to take a bold step of faith you had been afraid to take in the past, knowing that with Christ on your side you are totally safe? The three disciples; Peter, James, and John were privileged to witness the transfiguration of Jesus, and to hear the awesome words of the Father: “this is my beloved Son, listen to Him!” These three disciples were swept away in ecstasy exhilaration, and they wanted, naturally, to maintain that special feeling they experienced on the mountain top, forever and forever for the rest of their lives.

How then did the three disciples react to the transfiguration? Naturally, they were in awe, and St. Peter wanted to build three tents or tabernacles on top of the mountain honoring the event: one for Jesus, one for Moses, and one for Elijah. But, Jesus insisted that His disciples descend the mountain and work humbly for the spread of His Kingdom in the real world. The transfiguration of Jesus is, undoubtedly, the most descriptive experience we have of God’s glory in the New Testament: Jesus’ divine nature showing through His human nature; and the glory of God revealing who He really is in the flesh. What a let down it must have appeared to these disciples to have to come down to earth after such a marvelous spiritual ecstasy!

It has been assumed that the transfiguration took place on mount Tabor, south of Galilee. Modern scholars, however, believe it took place on mount Herman which makes sense since Jesus and His disciples, after they came down from the mountain, departed through Galilee to Capernaum, going south.

The three disciples learnt something special about Jesus on mount Herman. They learnt that God’s glory emanated from within the being of Jesus and radiated to the outside; to His life; to His teachings; and to His actions. The disciples now saw Him as the word made flesh, and they beheld His glory as the only begotten Son of the Father, full of grace and truth (John 1:1-14). St Peter did not build a tabernacle for Jesus on top of the mountain; he discovered that Jesus was the new living tabernacle in flesh and blood that came down from Heaven to show us how to live our lives in our world.

This is why the Father declared: “This is my beloved Son, listen to Him!” (Mark 8-7).

Fr. Hugh Duffy