Transfiguration

Icon of the Transfiguration - Theophanes the Greek, 15th cent.

Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. Then Peter said to Jesus, ‘Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.’ While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!’ When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, ‘Get up and do not be afraid.’ And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone.

As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, ‘Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.’ And the disciples asked him, ‘Why, then, do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?’ He replied, ‘Elijah is indeed coming and will restore all things; but I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but they did to him whatever they pleased. So also the Son of Man is about to suffer at their hands.’ Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them about John the Baptist.

- Matthew 17:1-13

The Transfiguration of Christ is celebrated as a major feast day in the Orthodox, Anglican and Roman Catholic churches. In the East, this event is called a theophany - a manifestation of God. As in Jesus' baptism in the Jordan, it is considered to be a revelation of Trinity: Christ himself is transfigured, revealing his divinity, the Father speaks as testimony, and the Spirit is present as the dazzling light surrounding Christ and overshadowing the entire mountain. This light, which in icons is often depicted with a blue tinge to express its spiritual origin, is considered a manifestation of "uncreated divine energy" in the Eastern theology. The revelation of divinity is considered to be that which is Christ's by nature, in eternity, not bestowed at this moment recorded in the gospel, but rather revealed to his disciples. The voice of the Father speaks in the present tense, "This is my Son, the Beloved."

My study bible notes that "a high mountain" is often a place of revelation in Scripture. Moses and Elijah as figures in this revelation are important representations of Jewish tradition. Moses represents the Law and all those who have died. Elijah represents the Prophets. We recall that Elijah did not experience death - and so this is understood to indicate all those who are alive in Christ. Thereby this Transfiguration experience includes all who bear witness to Christ as Messiah, who is the fulfillment of the Old Testament: the living and the dead, the Law and the Prophets. In Moses and Elijah is also representation of the communion of the saints. The bright cloud recalls the cloud that went before the Israelites in the wilderness, the symbol of God's extraordinary presence.

For the apostles, this revelation is immediately recognizable on the terms with which they are familiar. Peter, shortly after we are told of his confession (see Friday's commentary), sees it as a sign that the Kingdom has come. He therefore suggests building booths, as was done at the Feast of Tabernacles (the feast of the coming Kingdom), which are symbols of God's dwelling among the just in the Kingdom. The apostles recognize Moses and Elijah; and they have already been taught by Jesus that Malachi's prophecy regarding the return of Elijah refers to John the Baptist (see previous commentary). Luke 1:17 refers to John's ministry of prophecy "in the spirit and power of Elijah."

What does it mean to be transfigured? What does this revelation of Christ's divine nature teach us? What about its relation to the bright cloud in the wilderness, the sign of God's presence among us? We also recall Moses' illumined face and his participation in revelation and the covenant on the "high mountain." What is this light, this divine light? It is a sense in which we human beings are given glimpses of divine realities - we don't see God "face to face" but yet we are allowed this grace, this understanding, this Presence of God's nature. I see it as a revelation of great help and assistance. We are assured of this Presence that is with us, guiding us, leading us forward, and in covenant with us. God and human beings are made for relationship with one another. And, as we cannot know God in God's full Being, we are at least given God's great love, which includes manifestation and revelation and understanding which we can grasp. The apostles have an awareness of what is happening here, they understand that this revelation is not simply about the past, the fulfillment of the promise of the Scripture and spiritual history they know - but it is also about the future promise of the Kingdom. It is the revelation of a reality that surpasses time's limitations, something that is ever-present, even if we cannot always be present to it ourselves - even if we do not experience its full reality.

Most of all, Transfiguration is a gift. It stands in for the answer to prayers for God to make himself present to us in any form; it is the grace of revelation. It is hope and the promise of faith. It lets us know that we are meant for communication - regardless of how limited we are. We will receive and we will be fulfilled. Our Suffering Servant is not only the Divine Son revealed, but He is also with us, in our time-bound state of life here on earth, and he will share the sorrows of life bound by our limitations as well. The apostles return not only with this vision of revelation, but also with a changed understanding and acceptance. The experiences of Jesus' followers are coming in a great rush now, and from a deeper place of perception and understanding. He is repeatedly teaching them that he will suffer persecution as John has already. And in the midst of these warnings, this great revelation.

What does this "uncreated light" say to you? What does it mean that we look for a world transfigured? What would it mean to experience this overshadowing light of the Spirit in ourselves? It is a hope that whatever is Good, that which is created in us and that which is for us to share, will be a transforming power. Via faith, we hope to share in these gifts of the divine, of energy and grace, and to come to terms with our own natures as reflected to us as members of that kingdom. I think we'd do well to dwell on that light, to pray with this image, and to hope in its Presence.