Transfiguration was an address!

Myth of Sisyphus is about the high and low in life caused by our human nature. Going up on a mountain is difficult as there are stones, the path is steep and there is a constant fear of falling and getting hurt. It also takes us to a calm and serene a place, away from the hurries and worries of life. Certain journeys to the mountain tops change the lives of people: Abraham’s life is changed once and for all. He came back transfigured inwardly. Moses’ life changed once and for all: His face shown when he came down.

Why does Jesus transfigure and what is the need for a transfiguration. There were many instances in the Gospels where Jesus was alone in prayer. Why does this transfiguration happen in the company of the apostles who look lost and dumb? The need to reveal the true self to our fiends is so intense a moment even for Jesus. There is no greater love than to lay one’s life for one’s friends. Jesus went through a higher, steeper and a larger mountain in preparing the apostles as friends – Jesus said, “I call you friends because I have told you everything” – this comprises of His own self. Jesus revealed everything of God to us. The traditional Greek concept of friendship emphasized equality, loyalty and intimacy.

Transfiguration is an address. It is a gospel in itself addressed to the friends of Jesus. The message is the words from the Father – ‘I am well pleased with my Son, you listen to Him’. If we think transfiguration is an event that happens between Jesus, Moses and Elijah we are mistaken. It should be read as “The Gospel that is preached through the power of the Holy Spirit from Jesus to His friends in the company of Moses and Elijah about the Cross.” In the words of Fulton Sheen, “He preached on the mountain (Sermon on the Mount) and practiced on the mountain (Calvary)”. He also revealed His true self on the mountain (Transfiguration).

Our friendship with Jesus should motivate us to be true to our other relationships. Our relationships are strengthened and purified by God so that whoever we come in contact with we show honesty and sincerity. As St. Paul says, “Let your love be genuine and coming from a sincere heart (Rom 12:9).” As Mother Teresa once said, “If you go on judging people, you will not have time to love them.” We see a society filled with lists of things man must do and women must do – taking us away from the fact that both men and women are capable of developing an intimate friendship with God. These fishermen, lacking in confidence, strength and knowledge – through the power of friendship with Jesus were able to see and witness Moses and Elijah: That is a great gift for any Jew. The greatest gift is we have Jesus as our friend who takes up the cross to save us all.

Jesus’ transfiguration is an invitation to our own transfiguration where we radiate the light of Christ in and through us. Transfiguration is a requirement for us to be sent as missionaries to the world. Let us pray that God continues to reveal who we really are and why we are here. Amen.