(Edited) Sunday reflections: (From) liturgical years 2014 (A), 2015 (B), and 2016 (C)
March 16, 2014
Liturgical readings
Genesis 12:1-4a
Psalm 33
2 Timothy 1:8b-10
Matthew 17:1-9
"This is my beloved Son in whom my favor rests. Listen to him."
Matthew's gospel chapter 17, verses 1-9, describes Peter, James and John witnessing the Lord's Transfiguration. That miraculous event revealed the divinity of Christ, with the evangelist painting the picture of Jesus "as dazzling as the sun" and "as radiant as light". What do the reflections of the past comment on this scripture passage? St. Leo (ca. 400-461 A.D.), one of the Popes in the 5th century, says that the reason for this divine manifestation, is to remove the scandal of the cross from the hearts of the apostles. The dazzling and radiant event had a purpose: so when the Lord eventually dies on the cross, they would not be disheartened.
Moving now to modern biblical scholarship, many comment that the Transfiguration event in the life of Christ was a glimpse of His resurrection, and a foretaste of the mystery of the resurrection of the body, and the gift of eternal life. Deep within the resurrection and eternal life, is the gift and mystery of the Cross. The Cross is a reality Jesus takes up in obedience to his Father's will, and which the apostles also followed in faith. Bible commentators continue to support the truth that since the scandal of the cross can shake the faith and confidence of the apostles, the Lord revealed his divinity to strengthen them before the event of his death on the Cross. The Lord granted the vision to James and John, and to Peter, especially: (because) Peter was entasked to encourage his brothers after the tragic event of the Cross (Luke 22:31-32).
The difficulties and tragedies of the times can weaken the natural faith we have in the goodness of the world and others - difficulties like calamities that can make living conditions humanly impossible to deal and grapple with. This is what happened to the spirit of the apostles. Though the three in Christ's inner circle (Peter, James and John) had a vision of the Lord in glory, they forgot about it when the death of the Lord actually loomed before their eyes. But the vision of Christ's Transfiguration they had witnessed reminded them of what the Father said: "This is my Beloved Son. Listen to him." That vision was meant to strengthen them. It is also meant to strengthen us today. Through the Eucharist, Christ's Transfiguration is meant to encourage us, and give us a strong hope, so that in times of severe stress, trials, and crisis, our remembrance of Christ and His divinity will help us stand firm in the midst of adversity.
Scripture quotes for reflection:
Abram went as the Lord directed him...Abram was seventy-five years old when he left Haran (Genesis 12)
The eyes of the Lord are upon those who fear him, upon those who hope for his kindness (Psalm 33)
Let us bear our share of the hardship which the gospel entails (2 Timonty 1)
The Lord came toward them and layed his hand on them and said, "Get up! Do not be afraid" (Matthew 17)
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