The Transfiguration of the Lord
With the Transfiguration of Jesus before Peter, James, and his brother John, as his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light; and with the voice from the cloud that said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him,” we are reminded of the divinity of Christ and His exaltation in anticipation of His eternal glory. Today’s feast day not only emphasizes these two essential points in the divinity of Christ and His exaltation in anticipation of His eternal glory, it also gives us a glimpse of the glory that awaits us in heaven; and teaches us that God is always with us to assist, accompany and strengthen us His children at all times.
The story of the Transfiguration comes after Jesus told His disciples of His forthcoming passion, suffering and death on the cross. So with His Transfiguration, He encouraged them and strengthened their faith by giving them a glimpse of what heaven would be like, which would be their reward and, urged them to aspire to achieve it. Hence, the Transfiguration event was to encourage them never to give up or loose hope or faith in Him, when they encounter challenges in their lives as His disciples after His crucifixion, death and resurrection. The Transfiguration event also teaches us that we are not alone in times of trials or persecution, that God is always there for us and with us, to assist, accompany and strengthen us His children in those difficult circumstances or times.
So what does today’s feast call us to do as children of God? The Transfiguration story calls us to recognize and appreciate God’s presence in our lives with all His blessings, graces and mercies upon us; and to listen to, love, respect and worship Christ, the Son of God and the second Person of the Blessed Trinity.
How appreciative are we for all that God does in our lives? How often do we show our gratitude to Him for His blessings, graces and mercies upon us? Do we truly love God as His children, and if we do, how have we shown that love today? Have we responded to His call to listen to, respect and worship His beloved Son our Lord Jesus Christ with whom He is well pleased?
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, as we celebrate the feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord today, let us work harder to listen to God, recognize and appreciate His presence in our lives with all His blessings, graces and mercies upon us; by truly and sincerely listening to, loving, respecting and worshiping Christ, His beloved Son with whom He is well pleased.
