Daily Mass Gospel Reflection- Transfiguring a Life of Despair

Word on Fire Ministry ^ | 8.6.23 | Bishop Robert Barron

[MurphsLaw]

Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord
Matthew 17:1-9

Friends, today we celebrate the Feast of the Transfiguration.
What does this event mean?
Thomas Aquinas’ treatment in the Summa theologiae sums up
much of the wisdom of the Church Fathers on this matter.

Aquinas says that it was fitting
for Christ to be manifested in his glory to his select Apostles
because those who walk an arduous path need a clear sense of the goal of their journey.
The arduous path is this life,
with all of its attendant sufferings,
failures, disappointments, and injustices.

Beset by all of this negativity,
a pilgrim on life’s way can easily succumb to despair
unless he is granted a glimpse of the glory that comes at the end of his striving.
And this is why, Aquinas argues,
Jesus, before journeying to Jerusalem to walk the way of the cross,
for a brief moment allows the light to shine through him.

Though we live and move within the confines of this world
of space and time, we are not meant, finally, for this dimensional system;
we are summoned to life on high with God in a transformed state of existence.
The Transfiguration, therefore, awakens our sense of wonder
and steels our courage to face the darkness here below.

[MurphsLaw]

+++Jesus took Peter, James,
and his brother, John,
and led them up a high mountain by themselves.
And he was transfigured before them;
his face shone like the sun
and his clothes became white as light.
And behold, Moses and Elijah
appeared to them,
conversing with him.
Then Peter said to Jesus in reply,
"Lord, it is good that we are here.
If you wish, I will make three tents here,
one for you, one for Moses,
and one for Elijah."
While he was still speaking, behold,
a bright cloud cast a shadow over them,
then from the cloud came a voice that said,
"This is my beloved Son,
with whom I am well pleased;
listen to him."
When the disciples heard this,
they fell prostrate
and were very much afraid.
But Jesus came and touched them, saying,
"Rise, and do not be afraid."
And when the disciples raised their eyes,
they saw no one else but Jesus alone.

As they were coming down from the mountain,
Jesus charged them,
"Do not tell the vision to anyone
until the Son of Man
has been raised from the dead."+++