Today the words of the Psalmist “who shall climb the mountain of the Lord? Who shall stand in his holy place?” (Psalm 24:3) are fulfilled in the feast of the Transfiguration of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Peter, James and John are stand on the holy mountain with Jesus, who strengthens their faith before his imminent death. Jesus gives them a glimpse of his divinity, bringing to fulfillment the prophecy of Daniel (first reading). Jesus is the son of Man! He is true God and true man. As an ocular witness of the transfiguration, Peter narrates the effects of his experience not as a myth but something real (second reading). It is an event that happened for our sakes too. The voice of the Father continues to boom in the clouds above inviting us to trust in God’s divine providence. In the words of Christoph Cardinal Schönborn ‘our faith in Jesus Christ, therefore, is not based on what we ourselves can discover, find, or devise but, rather, on “what no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man conceived, what God has prepared for those who love Him” (1Cor.2:9)’. God is same yesterday, today and forever!

In spite of the fact that physical and moral evil seem to prevail, divine providence is still at work through human providence. In the passion narratives we remember Veronica wiping the face of the bleeding messiah; Simon of Syrene helps Jesus carry his cross; Joseph of Arimathea respectfully takes the body of Jesus down the cross and lays it to rest… In our own day and age we remember the first responders at accident scenes; parents sacrificing for their children; philanthropies generously donating untold wealth to the poor in order to bridge the economic divide in the world. Therefore the Kingship of Jesus rules a kingdom of self-giving and love.

My dear friends the transfiguration is a mystery that was hidden for ages because no one could see God and live (cf. Ex. 33:17-33). Jesus is faith itself! Hence he is at the center on the mountain top flanked by Moses and Elijah and apostles Peter, James and John. It is not late to listen to Jesus and make him the center of my life. Just do it!

Happy feast of the transfiguration!

Fr. Sam MADZA,SMA