Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord
Luke 9:28b-36
It can be difficult to imagine what Peter, James, and John saw; not only Jesus shining with heavenly light but also the appearance of Moses and Elijah. Peter even tried to make the moment last by suggesting they build tents. But then a cloud covers the amazing scene, and voice says:
“…listen to him.”
Many years after this St. Paul would write, “We walk by faith and not by sight,” (2 Corinthians 5:7), and he likewise writes, “…faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ,” (Romans 10:17). Jesus is, after all, the Word of God made Flesh (John 1:1, 14), and how is it that we receive a word? We listen, and when we listen the word we receive enters into our minds and forms the thoughts and desires of our hearts. Jesus does not want us to look at Him and imitate Him; He wants to transform us from within such that the light that shone from Him will shine from within ourselves, illuminating our souls and reaching out to those around us (Matthew 5:14-16). For if the Word has no effect on us, we could see all the miracles of Jesus—the same those who crucified Him saw—and remain unchanged, for though we claim that seeing is believing, many of those who saw—Judas for example!—did not believe. But those who believed, saw, and it changed them forever.