After Peter confessed that Jesus was the Messiah, Jesus took his disciples Peter, James, and John to a sacred mountain. There, Jesus’ face shone like the sun and his clothes became radiantly white. Mysteriously, the Old Testament prophet Elijah and the Law-giver Moses appeared on the mountain and began speaking with Jesus. A cloud overshadowed them and a voice spoke from the cloud saying, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased. Listen to him!” The disciples cowered in terror at the incredible sight. Struggling for words, Peter stammered about setting up tents for Jesus and the prophets. Jesus placed a hand on the overwhelmed disciples. “Get up,” he said. Do not be afraid.” Looking up, the disciples saw no one but Jesus. Many decades later, Peter reflected on this moment. “We were eyewitnesses of [Jesus’] majesty. He received honor and glory from God the Father… We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain.” On the mount of Transfiguration, the disciples witnessed human nature glorified in Jesus, a foretaste of the triumphant and resurrected Christ. This glorious moment took place just before Jesus’ steady descent to the humiliation of the cross. For this reason, the Transfiguration is remembered twice in the Christian liturgical calendar. First, it is observed on the final Sunday before Lent, marking one last commemoration before the 40-day Lenten fast. 40 days before Holy Cross Day (Sep 14), Transfiguration is observed again on Aug 6. This late summer observance serves as an echo of the Lenten journey, and a reminder of the relationship between Christ’s suffering and his eternal Glory.
O God, who on the holy mount revealed to chosen witnesses your well-beloved Son, wonderfully transfigured, in raiment white and glistening: Mercifully grant that we, being delivered from the disquietude of this world, may by faith behold the King in his beauty; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
Art & bio by Ben Lansing