Although tradition associates Mt. Tabor with the Transfiguration, modern scholars believe that the scene was enacted on Mt. Hermon. It took place within a week after the historic declaration of Christ’s divinity by St. Peter at Caesarea Philippi and close on the heels of the Master’s first prediction of his impending death and resurrection – an indication that his glory and his suffering were inextricably interlinked. (Mt. 16: 13-23). The witnesses to this glorious incident were the three Apostles who formed his inner circle of friends. “About eight days after these words, Jesus took Peter and John and James and went up into a mountain to pray. While he was praying the appearance of his face changed and his clothing became dazzling white.” (Lk.9: 28-29). The brilliance that shone around him was not a reflected light as it happened to Moses during his encounter with God on Mount Sinai or to St. Stephen when he was being stoned, but rather it was a partial glimpse of his intrinsic glory that he had with his father from all eternity. The curtain of humanity that veiled his divinity was drawn for a moment and lo and behold, the three apostles witnessed the unique display of their Master’s Messianic glory. Speechless and motionless, they sank on their knees before this awesome spectacle.
Jesus, fully conscious of his redemptive mission, was on his way to Jerusalem and to the Cross. However, before he took the final plunge, he wanted to consult his Father in prayer and ascertain his will with regard to the time, place and manner of his self-sacrifice. God’s clear and prompt response came in various phases:
1. Moses, the greatest lawgiver, and Elijah, the forceful prophet of Israel, appeared on the scene. They were conversing with Jesus about his passion and death in Jerusalem. In other words the two who brought God’s law and God’s voice to men pointed out to Jesus that he was the fulfillment of all the Laws and Prophecies of the O.T. Hence, he was on the right track and as such he should proceed to Jerusalem and to the Cross.
2. In the history of Israel, clouds had always been associated with Divine Presence. A pillar of clouds guided the Israelites during their Exodus, a glorious cloud filled the newly constructed Tabernacle, Yahweh descended in the cloud to hand over the Tablets of Law to Moses and mysterious clouds hovered around and filled Solomon’s Temple in Jerusalem at the moment of its dedication. (Exod.13 & 40; 1 Kings. 8) The presence of the same luminous cloud around Jesus was symbolic of God’s presence at the scene in response to his prayers.
3. The appearance of the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove, as at the Baptism in Jordan, signaled the presence of the third person of the Holy Trinity at the scene.
4. Finally from the clouds came the thundering voice of the Father: “This is my beloved son, my chosen one. Listen to him.” (Lk.9: 35). Jesus was thrilled to hear that his prayer had been heard and that his father had set the seal of approval on his mission to Jerusalem and to the Cross.
Peter was overawed at these developments and wanted to relish that mystical experience on a permanent basis by erecting three tents. Jesus however, reminded him and his companions that the Mountaintop was not a place to settle down but rather a place from where to march forward to their day-to-day struggles and thereby fulfil God’s overall designs over them. For the bewildered apostles, it was a foretaste of the Beatific Vision that awaited them in heaven. Naturally, it strengthened their faith in their Master, who was none other than God himself.
Reflection: All our plans and projects are to be placed before our heavenly Father in prayer for his blessings and approval. His approval may come to us in any form if only we have the patience to pray ceaselessly and the discernment to discover it as Jesus did.
Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. They appeared in glory and were speaking of hisdeparture, which he was about to accomplish in Jerusalem. (Lk.9: 30-31)
