August 6
Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord
“The Lord is king, the Most High over all the earth.”
Readings
Reflection
One of the things we do not think about when we envision Jesus is the great glory he experienced as the son of God in heaven. We think of him as someone just like us, a human being with the same qualities, the same limitations, and the same flaws as the rest of us. While Jesus is truly man, he is also truly God; he is God incarnate. This weekend’s feast of the Transfiguration recalls the day when Christ was on Mount Tabor with his disciples and in their sight he was transfigured. The glory with which he stood before them is the glory he had before he came to earth to suffer and die for us–a glory which awaits us on the last day when we too, will enter the kingdom of heaven and be counted among the elect.
The first reading from the book of Daniel speaks of this glory. We hear about the glory of God, of his magnificent appearance, and of his dazzlingly white robes. The second reading from St Peter (a witness to the Transfiguration) also speaks of the glory of Christ. The gospel text from St Luke recounts the Transfiguration of the Lord on the mountain in the presence of Peter, James, and John. While the disciples look on, Jesus’ appearance is changed and his clothes appear to be dazzlingly white while he speaks with Moses and Elijah. In this gospel reading, we can recognize that Jesus is greater than both the Law and the Prophets. As with Christ’s baptism in the Jordan, the Father’s voice sounds from heaven to proclaim his satisfaction with his Son.
Our faith tells us that Jesus is truly God and truly man. As a man, he is indeed one of us. But as God, he is heir to the glory that is due to our creator, redeemer, and Messiah. As true disciples of Christ, we need to always remember that when Jesus came to Earth, he gave up the trappings of glory in heaven so that we could be glorified one day. We must always appreciate everything Jesus has done for us.
In faith,
Deacon Dare
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