Thursday, October 11, 2007

The Luminous Mysteries - The Transfiguration of Our Lord

About eight days after saying this, he took Peter, John, and James, and went up onto a mountain to pray.

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

Suddenly two men were talking with him — Moses and Elijah.

They appeared in glory and spoke of his passage, which he was about to fulfill in Jerusalem. Peter and those with him had fallen into a deep sleep; but awakening, they saw his glory and likewise saw the two men who were standing with him.

When these were leaving, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, how good it is for us to be here. Let us set up three booths, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” (He did not really know what he was saying.)

While he was speaking, a cloud came and overshadowed them, and the disciples grew fearful as they entered it.

Then from the cloud came a voice which said, “This is my Son, my Chosen One. Listen to him.”

When the voice fell silent, Jesus was there alone.

The disciples kept quiet, telling nothing of what they had seen at that time to anyone.

The mystery of light par excellence is the Transfiguration, traditionally believed to have taken place on Mount Tabor.

The glory of the Godhead shines forth from the face of Christ as the Father commands the astonished Apostles to “listen to him” (cf. Lk 9:35 and parallels) and to prepare to experience with him the agony of the Passion, so as to come with him to the joy of the Resurrection and a life transfigured by the Holy Spirit. (RVM, 21)