Second Sunday in Lent (C)

THE TRANSFIGURATION
This is my chosen Son; listen to him.
LK 9: 28-36

About eight days after he said this...

The transfiguration happened about a week after he said this. What did he say? He said two important things. The first was a prediction of his passion and his resurrection: "The Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised." The second was the condition to discipleship: “If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”
The transfiguration it seems was meant to prepare them (palakasin ang loob) when his prediction of his passion and death started to be fulfilled and also to give them an idea of the reward awaiting those who follow him.

Jesus went up the mountain to pray.

In St. Luke’s gospel more than in the other gospels, Jesus is often portrayed in prayer. Why mountain? Because in the bible the mountain is often the place where God meets man.

While he was praying his face changed in appearance and his clothing became dazzling white.

For a moment the three apostles were given a glimpse of the divinity of Jesus.

And behold, two men were conversing with him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his exodus that he was going to accomplish in Jerusalem.

Moses represented the Law; Elijah the Prophets. Both of them represented the Old Testament. In fact the Jews when referring to what we call the Old Testament used the term: “the Law and the Prophets”.

They also appeared in glory. But this glory is the glory of people in heaven.

The exodus referred to is the death of Jesus. In fact, Jesus was brought outside the walls of Jerusalem and crucified at Golgotha.

Master, it is good that we are here; let us make three tents.

Do they want to put up tents because they wanted to remain there and enjoy the vision?
Or is Peter referring to the joy they were experiencing as they beheld the vision? The feast of tabernacles (or feast of tents) was the feast celebrated at harvest time. During the harvest time people lived in tents in the fields. It was a joyful time of the year precisely because of the harvest. The feast of the tabernacles came to be associated with joy as we associate Christmas with joy.

While he was still speaking, a cloud came and cast a shadow over them.

In the OT the cloud signified the presence of God. For example, when God would meet Moses at the Tent of Meeting, it would be covered by a cloud.

Then from the cloud came a voice that said, "This is my chosen Son; listen to him.”

The voice was the voice of the Father. The first time he said this was at the Baptism of Jesus. And with his Baptism began his public ministry. Now at the Transfiguration, the Father repeats what he said at his Baptism. And with the Transfiguration, Jesus begins his journey to Jerusalem where his passion and death will take place.

Listen to him would mean accept his teachings. But I think the Father is also telling the three apostles to pay attention to Jesus when he speaks of his passion, and death so that their faith won’t be shaken when it comes true.. In fact, Jesus predicted his Passion, death and resurrection three times. Unfortunately, they weren’t listening and so when it came to pass, their faith crumbled and they abandoned him.