Jesus Amped Up: The Transfiguration

In the Transfiguration of Jesus Christ (Luke 9:28-36) from the Gospel for the Second Sunday in Lent,  something astounding happens to Jesus.  He radiates majesty:

[28] Now about eight days after these sayings he took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. [29] And as he was praying, the appearance of his countenance was altered, and his raiment became dazzling white.  [30] And behold, two men talked with him, Moses and Eli’jah,  [31] who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure, which he was to accomplish at Jerusalem. [32] Now Peter and those who were with him were heavy with sleep, and when they wakened they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. [33] And as the men were parting from him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is well that we are here; let us make three booths, one for you and one for Moses and one for Eli’jah” — not knowing what he said. [34] As he said this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. [35] And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!” [36] And when the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silence and told no one in those days anything of what they had seen.

What happens to the appearance of Jesus and why does it happen?  Here are some thoughts:

• This change in Jesus’ countenance is similar in some way to what Moses experiences on Mt. Sinai when he encounters God (Exod 34:29).
• But Jesus’ glory “outshines” the experience of Moses: For Jesus is transmitting His own Divine Glory while Moses’ experience is only a dim remnant (though remarkable) of his encounter with God.  Moses’ face, in fact, reflects the Glory that Christ as a Person of the Trinity emits.
• Christ’s is giving an early preview of His Glory to the disciples (CCC 555) that He will come into fully when He embraces the Cross in Jerusalem (Luke 24:26).
• After the Resurrection, Christ appears in His new Glorified Body (CCC 646).

It is easy to gloss over the account of the Transfiguration.  But the truth of what occurred on Mount Tabor in the Transfiguration is so astounding, that it surpasses all human understanding.

There is a God.  He is Jesus Christ.  He transcends time and space.  He has a Glorified Body.

And we too, can aspire to join Jesus Christ in Heaven some day and have our own glorified body.