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Based on the Gospel of Luke 9:28-36
A mountaintop, a glimpse of glory, and a voice from the cloud saying, “This is my chosen Son, listen to him.”
In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus takes Peter, James and John with him and goes up a mountain to pray. The apostles have been with Jesus a long time – listening to his teaching, watching him pray, seeing him perform miracles, and watching crowds of people listen to his every word. Jesus has been teaching the apostles who he is and what it means to be his disciples. He had told them of his forthcoming suffering, death, and Resurrection. This greatly troubles and confuses the apostles.
As he prays on the mountaintop, Jesus is transfigured (changed). His face begins to shine as bright and radiant as the sun, and his clothes become whiter and more dazzling than new-fallen snow.
Moses and Elijah appear and begin talking to Jesus. Remember who these men were? Moses was given the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai, and he led the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt to the Promised Land. Elijah was a prophet, a person who speaks in God’s name and delivers God’s message to people. He announced a long time ago that the Messiah would come, and he warned people not to disobey God and to follow God’s law.
Awaking from sleep, the three apostles are overwhelmed at what they see. Jesus is giving them a glimpse of his divine glory. A cloud covers all of them. In the Bible the cloud is a sign that God is present and is going to speak. Out of the cloud the apostles hear a voice saying, “This is my chosen Son, listen to him.” As they look up, the cloud disappears and Jesus stands there alone. Jesus allowed Peter, James and John to preview his Resurrection, to build up their faith that he is truly the Son of God.
“Listen to him.” God tells us that as well. We can hear Jesus through the love and kindness of family and people around us, through reading Scripture, through the Mass, and through the wonders and beauty of nature. Jesus speaks to others through us, too.
We can hear Jesus during prayer. But, we must find a quiet place to be alone with him (our “desert” prayer space) – away from the constant bombardment of noise from TV, iPods and all other high-tech gadgets, telephones, radios, traffic, etc. – to hear Jesus’ voice. In the silence, “Listen to him.”
The Transfiguration of Jesus is the fourth luminous mystery of the rosary. Pray the rosary daily this week and meditate especially on the luminous mysteries.
Continue through Lent praying, learning more about Jesus, “listening” to what he has to say, and sharing his love with others.
