Today, we’re so excited (!!!) to share a reflection from Hail, O Favored One, our devotional on the mysteries of the Rosary, which we released last year. While this isn’t taken from one of our upcoming resources (which we’ll be announcing soon!), it gives you a glimpse of what you can expect from our devotionals: reflections rooted in Scripture, enriched by the wisdom of the Church, and designed to reveal connections you may never have noticed before. Our hope is that each one helps you slow down, ponder what God is revealing, and consider how His Word speaks into your life today.

The Transfiguration

Matthew 9:28-36

Now about eight days after these sayings Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep; but since they had stayed awake, they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”—not knowing what he said. While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were terrified as they entered the cloud. Then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!” When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and in those days told no one any of the things they had seen.

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Peter, James, and John of course knew the stories of Moses standing before God on the Holy Mountain speaking with Him “mouth to mouth” as the scriptures say. When Moses returned to the people below, his skin shone with a Holy Brightness and the people feared to come near him (Exodus 34: 29-35). He had been in the presence of God and some of the Holiness of God had shone upon Moses. They also knew that Elijah spoke with God on Horeb (I Kings 19). Now they themselves are on a mountain made Holy by the presence of the One who was the source of the brightness of Moses’ face and the prophetic call of Elijah.

In this account, however, the Holiness of God shines out through the human flesh of Jesus, and it is revealed to us the glory of the human being. When God created Adam and Eve, He made them in the image and likeness of God. According to many Church fathers, being made in the image of God meant the capability of communion with God. We are made to reflect God to creation. When pagan rulers made images of themselves these images were placed throughout their kingdoms to reveal to everyone whose lands these were. Aadm and Eve made in the image of God were to represent God to creation and rule over it on His behalf. As they served God and grew in communion with Him they would come to be like God, or grow into His likeness.

In Christ transfigured we see what we were created to be. We are destined to become like Him (I John 3: 2) with the glory of the likeness of God filling us with His life. Our very bodies will be made new. The transfiguration reveals to us our theosis or deification.

In Luke’s account of the Transfiguration, Moses and Elijah speak with Jesus about His exodus. That is the term they use for Jesus’ passing through death and rising again. And that is how we are to look at these things. Not an exodus from an earthly kingdom, but an exodus from the kingdom of death into the Kingdom of Heaven with our Likeness to God fully restored to us in eternal life.

Reflection Questions

1. What does the Transfiguration reveal about Jesus’ divinity? His humanity?

2. What does this mystery teach us about the relationship between suffering and glory?

3. Where might I be mistaking a difficult passage for abandonment?

4. What is one thing Jesus is asking me to leave behind as I follow Him into greater freedom?

Cover Image: Transfiguration of Christ, Gerard David, 1523