Readings: Dan. 7:9-10.13-14, Ps.97. 2 Peter.1:16-19. Mark 9:2-10
Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia
AN ENCOUNTER THAT REVEALS THE TRUE IDENTITY OF JESUS
To know the true identity of Jesus has always been the desire and quest of most people of his time and even in our time. So, today we celebrate the Feast of Transfiguration of the Lord, the mystery and revelation of the true identity of Jesus.
The word “Transfiguration” is the combination of two words ‘trans’ meaning change, and ‘figure’ meaning appearance or the outlook of a body. That is, the change in appearance of Jesus reveals his true nature as the Divine Son of God, shining forth from his human nature, unveiling that he was not just a Man but also the great Son of God incarnate in the human flesh. This will help us to understand the true identity of Jesus.
This is important because most people today still do not have a grand knowledge of the personality and identity of Jesus and his mission towards the salvation of humanity. So, to make known his identity to humanity, Jesus, in our Gospel passage today, chose three of his disciples, Peter, James and John and led them up a high mountain where they could be alone.
There in their presence, he was transfigured: his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. Suddenly Moses and Elijah appeared to them; they were talking with him. Then Peter spoke to Jesus. ‘Lord,’ he said ‘it is wonderful for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.’ He was still speaking when suddenly a bright cloud covered them with shadow, and from the cloud, there came a voice which said, ‘This is my Beloved Son. Listen to him.
So, in this Feast, we remember the revelation of Christ as the beloved Son of the Father, the one we are called to trust and listen to in prayer. An event that occurs to undermine objections to the inevitable event of Parousia, which calls us to a life of faith and radical transformation. A transformation that brings about a new outfit that makes one a new person with a new life, a new mind and a new way of doing things.
In this revelation, we recall the presence of the two greatest and most renowned figures from the Old Testament, namely Moses and the prophet Elijah. They represent the law and the prophets which bear witness to the personality and identity of Jesus. To crown all, the voice from the cloud which has also been the symbol of God’s presence with His people bearing witness that Jesus is the Beloved Son of God, calling us to listen to him.
Little wonder St. Peter, in our second reading today, tells us that it was not any cleverly invented myths that they were repeating when they brought us the knowledge of the power and the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, for they had seen his majesty for themselves.
Peter made us know that Jesus was honoured and glorified by God the Father when the Sublime Glory itself spoke to him and said, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved; Listen to him.’ He said they heard this themselves, spoken from heaven when they were with him on the holy mountain.
This event also fulfils the vision of Daniel in our first reading, where he said: I saw, coming on the clouds of heaven, one like a son of man. He came to the one of great age and was led into his presence. His sovereignty is an eternal sovereignty which shall never pass away, nor will his empire ever be destroyed. The preface of this feast says that Jesus revealed his glory in the presence of chosen witnesses and filled with the greatest splendour that bodily form which he shares with all humanity, that the scandal of the Cross might be removed from the hearts of his disciples.
Dear friends, are we in any way ignorant of the personality, identity and mission of our Lord Jesus Christ? Have we personally experienced the presence of Jesus in our lives? Have we ever encountered Jesus in such a transformative way that changes our sinful ways of life and builds our faith stronger in the Lord? This is the type of encounter we need to have. An encounter that reveals the true identity of Jesus.
The truth is, we can change our religion, churches, even our pastors, friends, residence, car or our physical appearance: hair, clothes, colour, even gender, as some people do today. But if we don’t have a transfigurative experience that will bring about a change of mind and heart towards loving God and our neighbours, we will remain the same, and the old experience of unfruitful life will perpetuate itself over and over again. Because everything absolutely changes when we change our minds for good, and that is the essence of today’s feast.
LET US PRAY: Lord God, you never cease to make known to your children the mysteries of your Love for humanity, grant that by listening to the voice of your beloved Son, we may personally experience his love in our lives and merit to become coheirs with him, who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen. As you begin the day, may God bless you with a sound mind and unwavering faith in him.
