The Transfiguration

Jesus took Peter, James, and his brother, John, 
and led them up a high mountain by themselves.
And he was transfigured before them; 
his face shone like the sun 
and his clothes became white as light.
And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them,
conversing with him.

Today is the Transfiguration of the Lord, one of the most significant feasts of the year on the Church calendar.  Here is a bit of trivia for you. This is the only time Jesus performed a miracle that included Himself as one of the beneficiaries.  Here are a few things that I have harvested from this reading. 

Jesus led the party up a high mountain.  Can you name another personage that went up a high mountain to be with God?  I'll give you a hint, his name was Moses.  Every time when Moses went up the mountain he encountered God. In our case today, God is leading the three selected apostles up the mountain where they will encounter God in a very special way. 

Not all of the apostles were invited to witness the Transfiguration. Only three were selected, Peter, James, and John were selected to the exclusion of the others.  Notice that Peter is named first in deference to his rank as chief of the apostles and the prime minister of Jesus's kingdom on earth.  Also, we know Peter is not going to get himself in trouble this time because he is called only by the name Jesus gave him, Peter and not Simon or Simon Peter. 

Jesus, for a few moments, lifted the veil that covered the divine portion of his persona and He was revealed in all His glory as God the Son.  This gift he bestowed on his friends in order to strengthen them for the tough times that were to come later.  This I learned yesterday at Mass in the homily given by Bishop Peter Paul who was visiting us from Africa. I had always wondered what the point of this display was and his eminence explained it well. 

Elija and Moses appear on the scene and Jesus speaks with them. Elija is there to fulfill the prophecy of his return and Moses is there representing the rest of the prophets of the Old Testament. Peter, who must have been dazzled and almost in shock wanted to keep the prophets of old there with them and offered to put up three tents one for Moses, one for Elija and one for Jesus.  But, so there was no mistake that the age of the old testament prophets was over, God from heaven endorsed Jesus by saying, "This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased.  Listen to Him." Jesus and His teachings were to supplant the teachings of old and were endorsed by God the Father Himself.  

Finally, at least for my comments, we see proof of the fact that God does not reign over a dead kingdom but over a living kingdom. Elija was taken to heaven in a "fiery chariot" and Moses had died and was buried.  Both of them appear in lively good health and prove that there is an afterlife and God rules.