Transfiguration leaves an impact on the three apostles. It encourages and strengthens their faith to face the forthcoming challenges.
Transfiguration of the Lord (August 6, 2021)
Daily Reading: Daniel 7:9-10,13-14; 2 Peter 1:16-19 & Mark 9:2-10
In an obvious manner, the liturgy stresses the Transfiguration of the Lord. The chosen, selected and close apostles of Jesus saw His divine glory in full splendor.
But why?
A question may come to our mind as to why did Jesus manifest His divine glory to them? Precisely because the apostles were distressed when Jesus foretold them about His own passion and death to them. The purpose of the transfiguration of Jesus was to encourage His Apostles and to strengthen their faith in view of His upcoming passion.
Moreover, this experience of the glory of Jesus had a lasting impression on Peter, James, and John. Peter would later make a reference to the transfiguration event and will declare that he was an eyewitness to His majesty (2 Pet. 1: 16 – 18) and not to forget John who would in the prologue insist that he had seen the glory of Jesus, glory as of the only Son from the Father (Jn. 1: 14).
It is a known fact that Jesus gives strength and courage to those who follow Him and He never lets them down.
Through the Transfiguration, Jesus manifested His glory to the Apostles. He urged them to look beyond the passion and death on the cross to His resurrection and glory. As Paul would acclaim: “It was His passion and death in obedience to the Father that really won Him glory (Phil. 2: 8 – 9).
When was the last time you experienced the presence of Jesus in your life? Share with us in the comments below. Fr. Joseph Cardozo SJ / Contributor
About the Author
Fr. Joseph Cardozo is a Jesuit priest pursuing a doctorate in Ignatian Spirituality at Jana Deepa Pontifical Institute, Pune, India. Fr. Cardozo has a master's degree in pastoral studies from Ateneo de Manila University, Philippines, and a master's in theology at the University of Innsbruck, Austria. Fr. Cardozo studied in the School of Theology and Ministry at Boston College, USA.
