Readings for the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord[1][2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1 Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14
In this vision from the book of Daniel, we see the symbols for God the Father “the Ancient One, seated on the throne of Judgment (symbolized by fire) with all the faithful before him. Then comes “One like a Son of Man”, this reference is a messianic vision. Jesus who commonly used it to describe himself as the one through whom all salvation came.
In the context of the Feast of the Transfiguration, this image is consistent with that seen by the disciples in the Gospel.
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 97:1-2, 5-6, 9
R. The Lord is king, the Most High over all the earth.
This song of thanksgiving rejoices in God’s rule of the earth from his heavenly throne. This song links nicely to the imagery presented in the first reading.
Reading II 2 Peter 1:16-19
St. Peter offers his reference to the Transfiguration event as part of an apologetic he presents claiming Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God. He quotes the Gospel account of this event explicitly saying that he was indeed present and heard the words “This is my Son, my beloved, with whom I am well pleased.”
Gospel Matthew 17:1-9
In the opening paragraph of St. Matthew’s account of the Transfiguration, James, John, and Peter see Jesus take on a majestic appearance, with imagery consistent with Daniel’s vision (above) and then is joined by Moses the giver of the Law, and Elijah first among the prophets. Scholars agree that uniting and fulfilling the Law and the Prophets represented in this tableau was a key message of this event.
The suggestion by St. Peter that he erect three “booths” suggests the Jewish Feast of Booths which commemorates the revelation of the Law by Moses at Mt. Sinai, a close parallel is emphasized as the ultimate revelation of God in Christ is now played out.
The “bright cloud” is another Old Testament symbol used to represent the immediate presence of God (see Exodus 19:9 and 24:15-16). From within it God speaks the same formula used at Jesus’ baptism (see Matthew 3:17) providing the final absolute identity of Jesus as Christ.
Reflection:
Today we celebrate the gift of revelation. In sacred scripture Jesus is identified by God as his Son twice. The first time God spoke the words "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased “was at his baptism by St. John the Baptist in the Jordan River, an event that started his public ministry. God speaks them again at the miraculous transfiguration.
There is no ambiguity in the factual statement. God makes it absolutely clear, in front of reliable witnesses, that Jesus is His Son.
Perhaps Jesus sometimes uses the older name he seems to have adopted from Daniel’s visions “One like a son of man”. But again placed in the context of revelation, the Messiah does come like a son of man. He walks among the people. He was born of woman. His human body suffered the humiliation of those he came to save and died on the cross. While his attitudes and actions set him apart as holy, as St. Paul tells us in the Kenotic Hymn; “He was known to be of human estate.”
For the briefest of moments the “One like a Son of Man” is revealed as True God – “…his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light.” For that one moment the three most privileged disciples were able to see the Lord in his essential form.
And what does this flash of divinity bring to us, His disciples all these millennia later? It is a proof that gives strength to our faith – certainly. It is a rapturous moment to revel in as we celebrate the divine life that his radiance has shown upon us. Ultimately it is a challenge from the Lord – in this revelation there is an implied question: “Do we believe this story?” If we do then our actions should reflect our belief. If we believe that God came to us to give us life and to call us to His standard, we should be doing all we can to transform ourselves. In a sense it’s like the encounter between Jesus and St. Peter on the shore of the Sea of Galilee after his resurrection. He asked Peter three times if he believed. When the affirmative answer came he told St. Peter to feed his sheep.
God said “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him.” If we believe, we have no options but to heed that call.
Pax
[1] After Links to Readings Expire
[2] The picture used today is “The Transfiguration (Detail)” by Sanzio Raffaello, 1518-20
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1 Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14
In this vision from the book of Daniel, we see the symbols for God the Father “the Ancient One, seated on the throne of Judgment (symbolized by fire) with all the faithful before him. Then comes “One like a Son of Man”, this reference is a messianic vision. Jesus who commonly used it to describe himself as the one through whom all salvation came.
In the context of the Feast of the Transfiguration, this image is consistent with that seen by the disciples in the Gospel.
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 97:1-2, 5-6, 9
R. The Lord is king, the Most High over all the earth.
This song of thanksgiving rejoices in God’s rule of the earth from his heavenly throne. This song links nicely to the imagery presented in the first reading.
Reading II 2 Peter 1:16-19
St. Peter offers his reference to the Transfiguration event as part of an apologetic he presents claiming Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God. He quotes the Gospel account of this event explicitly saying that he was indeed present and heard the words “This is my Son, my beloved, with whom I am well pleased.”
Gospel Matthew 17:1-9
In the opening paragraph of St. Matthew’s account of the Transfiguration, James, John, and Peter see Jesus take on a majestic appearance, with imagery consistent with Daniel’s vision (above) and then is joined by Moses the giver of the Law, and Elijah first among the prophets. Scholars agree that uniting and fulfilling the Law and the Prophets represented in this tableau was a key message of this event.
The suggestion by St. Peter that he erect three “booths” suggests the Jewish Feast of Booths which commemorates the revelation of the Law by Moses at Mt. Sinai, a close parallel is emphasized as the ultimate revelation of God in Christ is now played out.
The “bright cloud” is another Old Testament symbol used to represent the immediate presence of God (see Exodus 19:9 and 24:15-16). From within it God speaks the same formula used at Jesus’ baptism (see Matthew 3:17) providing the final absolute identity of Jesus as Christ.
Reflection:
Today we celebrate the gift of revelation. In sacred scripture Jesus is identified by God as his Son twice. The first time God spoke the words "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased “was at his baptism by St. John the Baptist in the Jordan River, an event that started his public ministry. God speaks them again at the miraculous transfiguration.
There is no ambiguity in the factual statement. God makes it absolutely clear, in front of reliable witnesses, that Jesus is His Son.
Perhaps Jesus sometimes uses the older name he seems to have adopted from Daniel’s visions “One like a son of man”. But again placed in the context of revelation, the Messiah does come like a son of man. He walks among the people. He was born of woman. His human body suffered the humiliation of those he came to save and died on the cross. While his attitudes and actions set him apart as holy, as St. Paul tells us in the Kenotic Hymn; “He was known to be of human estate.”
For the briefest of moments the “One like a Son of Man” is revealed as True God – “…his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light.” For that one moment the three most privileged disciples were able to see the Lord in his essential form.
And what does this flash of divinity bring to us, His disciples all these millennia later? It is a proof that gives strength to our faith – certainly. It is a rapturous moment to revel in as we celebrate the divine life that his radiance has shown upon us. Ultimately it is a challenge from the Lord – in this revelation there is an implied question: “Do we believe this story?” If we do then our actions should reflect our belief. If we believe that God came to us to give us life and to call us to His standard, we should be doing all we can to transform ourselves. In a sense it’s like the encounter between Jesus and St. Peter on the shore of the Sea of Galilee after his resurrection. He asked Peter three times if he believed. When the affirmative answer came he told St. Peter to feed his sheep.
God said “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him.” If we believe, we have no options but to heed that call.
Pax
[1] After Links to Readings Expire
[2] The picture used today is “The Transfiguration (Detail)” by Sanzio Raffaello, 1518-20
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