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Dear Sisters and Brothers in the Lord:
The feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord falls on
Wednesday. This day has a checkered history. It dates from about the 5th
century in the Eastern Church and the 10th in the West. However it
wasn’t until the 16th century that it was added to the calendar of the
universal Church as a mark of thanksgiving for a Christian victory over
the Muslim Turks near Belgrade on August 6.
August 6 is also commemorated around the world as
Hiroshima Day—the anniversary of the day in 1945 when the terrifying new
technology of atomic weapons was used for the first time, altering the
course of history. Petitions for peace should certainly be included in
our liturgies and private prayers on this day.
In the Eastern tradition the first subject that icon
painters tackle on entering into their calling is the transfiguration,
using brilliant gold colors to depict Jesus as Light from Light, true
God from true God. The light from Christ’s robes is always shown
cascading onto the clothes of the apostles as a sign of their (and our)
share in Christ’s glory.
There is something unusual about the readings for the
feast day. Normally we hear a particular passage from scripture only
once every three years at Sunday Mass, but the Gospel passage for the
Transfiguration (Mark 9: 2-10) was read just a few months ago, on the
second Sunday of Lent. On this occasion it was preceded by the story of
Abraham’s sacrifice of Isaac, whereas this time the first reading is an
apocalyptic passage from the Book of Daniel which speaks of the splendor
of the Son of Man.
As with all solemnities and feasts, and in contrast to
most Sundays of the year, the second reading for today is chosen to fit
with both the first reading and the Gospel. The second letter of Peter
was written in times of persecution and false teaching. The writer
encourages his readers to be faithful to Jesus and his way until he
comes again.
The readings for the Transfiguration offer us hope. At
the end of his time on earth Jesus went up a mountain and was nailed to
a cross there. The earlier event on a mountain, however, foretold that
death is not the last word. As we journey through suffering and death,
we too have already been shown what awaits the faithful disciple —
transfiguration into glory. We can take up the cross of discipleship
with courage because we have the promise of resurrection and know that
by “listening to him” we help establish the kingdom of God.
All of this is expressed succinctly in the prayer texts
of the feast: God our Father, in the
transfigured glory of Christ your Son, you strengthen our faith by
confirming the witness of your prophets, and show us the splendor of
your beloved sons and daughters. As we listen to the voice of your Son,
help us to become heirs to eternal life with him. (Opening prayer).
He revealed his glory to the disciples to strengthen
them for the scandal of the cross. His glory shone from a body like our
own, to show that the Church, which is the body of Christ, would one day
share his glory. (Preface).
Let’s give our minds and hearts to the Lord!
Father Joe |
