Transfiguration and Transformation

This week we reflect on St Mark’s Gospel on the Transfiguration, Chapter 9: 2-10. This week I also conduct a five evening Lenten Retreat on the topic - Prayer. The parishioners plan to video record it and upload it to YouTube. If they do, I will share the link(s) with you. Please pray for me that all goes well. We also welcome a few new subscribers.

The transfiguration is Jesus’ aspect change while being ministered to by Moses and Elijah and a reassurance from ‘God The Father’ that He (Jesus) is - his beloved Son. Many theologians interpret it as a turning point in Jesus’ ministry - from ministering to the people of the Galilee region, to a steadfast journey to Jerusalem, where he will suffer the Passion, Death on the Cross and the Resurrection.

This Transfiguration is witnessed by Peter, James and John, his closest disciples. What is less reflected on is the impact of this experience on these disciples. I believe it must have been a transformative experience. And as we read and reflect on the narrative, it will be good to place ourselves with Peter, James and John, as a silent fourth disciple. As we do this, we also join with them in having a transformative experience.

A transformative experience is one in which we experience a life changing moment. It is a moment in which we experience Jesus in a new more meaningful way. For the disciples, I believe, it was seeing Jesus as a glimpse of how he would appear after the resurrection. He must have appeared other worldly. It must have been a transcendent experience, they observed another dimension, one where persons who may have been taken up to the heavenly realm, were present, conversing with Jesus. The cloud of the Glory of God, speaking. So much so that the evangelist tells us - they were terrified.

I think of the transformative experiences of my life - Life in the Spirit seminar; Marriage Encounter Weekend; Diaconate ordination. These were moments when I came to know Jesus in a new more intimate way. He came into my life like a physical presence. I knew him better. I realised that he was walking with me/us (Sandee and me). Something akin to what the disciples on the road to Emmaus experienced in the breaking of bread. They are eureka moments, when we say ‘Hey, that was Jesus, he was right here with us!’. I came to realize that Jesus was not a historical figure, or someone far away in heaven, but a physical presence.

I encourage you to reflect on your own memories of your experience of Jesus’ transfiguration - moments when Jesus was transfigured from a mythical character to a real presence in your life. These were moments when you were transformed, your life changed, and it would never be the same. You know that Jesus is alive and he is walking with you. It is important to remember - like Dulcinea reminded Don Quixote in the Man of La Mancha - ‘you must remember’.

So often in the whirly burly of life we forget our Transfiguration of Jesus experiences and our moments of transformation. We slip back in our old ways - Like Peter - ‘we go back to fishing for fish’. This week let us recall - the moments and the words - ‘To Dream the Impossible Dream’….