Transfiguration reflection from the Christian Scriptures

   "And Jesus was transfigured before Peter, James and John and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no fuller on earth could bleach them." Mark 9:2. This powerful story records Jesus' Transfiguration captured in this church where it happened on Mount Tabor in the Holy Land. Here is my photo taken two years ago. The term, "transfigured" designates a change of form and appearance. This change of appearance by Jesus "up a high mountain" was witnessed by these three apostles and has been documented in Matthew 17:1-8 and Luke 9:28-36. Matthew depends on Mark for his information whereas, Luke seemed to have derived some parts of the story from an independent source. Nonetheless, the eye-witness account record the same facts. The main reason for this transfiguration according to Pope Leo the Great "was to remove the scandal of the cross from the hearts of his disciples and to prevent the humiliation of his suffering from disturbing the faith of those who had witnessed the surpassing glory that lay concealed." The appearance of Moses and Elijah representing the Law and the prophets points out to the fact that in Jesus both the Old and the New Testaments are bound together in perfect unity. For us Christians, this moment is paramount and provides stability to our faith in Jesus.
   "This is my Son, my beloved in whom I am well pleased; listen to him." as recorded at the moment 2,000 years ago, should be a challenge and inspiration in our life of faith this Lent.