THE WORD
Dn 7,9-10.13-14 / 2 Pt 1,16-19 / Lk 9,28-36
Jesus took with him Peter and John and James and went up the mountain to pray. As he prayed, the aspect of his face was changed and his clothing became brilliant as lightning. Suddenly there were two men there talking to him; they were Moses and Elijah appearing in glory, and they were speaking of his passing which he was to accomplish in Jerusalem. Peter and his companions were heavy with sleep, but they kept awake and saw his glory and the two men standing with him. As these were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, ‘Master, it is wonderful for us to be here; so let us make three tents, one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.’ – He did not know what he was saying. As he spoke, a cloud came and covered them with shadow; and when they went into the cloud the disciples were afraid. And a voice came from the cloud saying, ‘This is my son, the Chosen One. Listen to him.’ And after the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. The disciples kept silence and, at the time, told no one what they had seen.
IN OTHER WORDS
In my childhood my playmates and I would imitate priests celebrating mass in our chapel. Now I realize it was a foretaste of the life I lead today. Parang patikim lang.
The Transfiguration of Jesus in Mt. Tabor, witnessed by the three apostles, was a foretaste or “patikim” o “pasilip” or a preview of what was to come, of Jesus’ divine nature. Jesus brought Peter, John and James up in the mountain to pray and he revealed to them his divine nature to strengthen their faith. Jesus knew that his disciples were not ready to see him suffer and die; their minds and hearts were still occupied with their personal ambitions and self-interests. After this event Jesus would lead them to Jerusalem and offer himself to the authorities in fulfillment of the Father’s will.
His disciples would claim his throne as king of the Jews and rule with him. But they failed to listen to him. The Transfiguration was a theophany, a divine revelation of Jesus’ divine nature. This was about
Jesus giving them hope and making their faith strong so that when the time of great trials or tests would come they’d be able to bear them.
Let us walk with Jesus up in the mountains of Mt. Tabor and ll ourselves with hope, strong faith and courage. With determination, let us also accompany him up to the mountain of Calvary and experience Jesus’ paschal mystery.
- Fr. Melencio “Jun” Balay, Jr., SVD | CKMS, QC
The Word in other words 2016
An annual project of Logos Publications, The WORD in Other Words Bible Diary contains daily scripture readings and reflections written by priest, brothers, and sisters of the three congregations founded by St. Arnold Janssen (the SVD, SSpS, and SSpSAP). It hopes to serve as a daily companion to readers who continually seek the correlation of the Word of God and human experience.
