Transfiguration of the Lord Homily

Today we observe the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord. This feast gives us a glimpse into our humanity and how we are to more perfectly reflect God’s glory. As Anastasius of Sinai sums it up, he “will give us a share in his radiance, renew our spiritual nature and transform us into his own likeness, making us for ever sharers in his Godhead.”

Despite the sin that creeps into our life we are called to embrace this reality. Humanity has fallen, but through Christ we have come to be healed, perfected, and clothed in the glory of God. Our celebration of the Lord’s Transfiguration points the way towards what God desires to be worked within us.

As we are instructed in 2 Corinthians: “And all of us, with unveiled faces, seeing the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit.”

This concept of being veiled should remind us of Moses. Moses who went up to receive the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai and to bring the Israelites into covenant with God as His chosen people. From Exodus we are told, “As Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the covenant in his hands, he did not know that the skin of his face had become radiant while he spoke with the Lord.” Due to this we are further told, “When Moses finished speaking with them, he put a veil over his face. Whenever Moses entered the presence of the Lord to speak with him, he removed the veil until he came out again.”

At the Transfiguration of the Lord we are told, “And he was transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun.” What takes place within the face of Jesus is found to be far superior then what took place within the face of Moses. This serves as an instruction on the Lord’s divinity and that He was not only fully human, but also fully divine. Jesus radiates this divine glory to the point that his garments also appear to be as white as light.

In the Church we are surrounded by the use of veils. We notice that the tabernacle is veiled and that the chalice is veiled. These veils serve as a reminder of the sacred for that which is sacred has been veiled from our sight. In the Book of Exodus a veil is placed over the tent which holds the ark of the covenant which is literally the presence of God. This veil would continue to veil the sacred in the Temple in Jerusalem. As was stated by Saint Thomas Aquinas: “We cannot be enlightened by the divine ray except they be hidden within the covering of many sacred veils.”

It is is Jesus who gives a glimpse of what dwells behind this veil to Peter, James, and John upon Mount Tabor at the transfiguration. It was here that what was veiled came to be known and looked upon. At this they fell prostrate and the Lord touched them saying, “Rise, and do not be afraid.” They were given this glimpse into Heavenly glory in order that they would continue to run the race towards Everlasting Life despite all that would befall them in this life especially the coming of the Lord’s Passion. As this veil is slightly lifted giving us a glimpse into the sacred, may we place our trust in Him and be not afraid.

Transfiguration Year A Homily

Today we take a break from Ordinary Time in order to celebrate this Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord.

Throughout the course of the liturgical year we hear about our Lord's Transfiguration on two occasions. We hear of it on this feast day as well as during the 2nd Sunday of the Lenten season.

The Transfiguration of the Lord serves as a map which points the way towards the splendor and light which awaits us in the Kingdom of Heaven. As we pass through the reality of the cross and thus the struggle of our everyday life we are in need of this glimpse.

It was for this reason that Christ took with Him the apostles Peter, James, and John to the mountaintop to be transfigured in their sight. For they would soon experience the Passion of our Lord and thus their cross which would spring forth from this reality. They needed this glimpse into the splendor and light which awaits them in the Heavenly Kingdom.

Each of us have come to experience the same cross in some way. Be it the cross of sickness, the cross of a struggling marriage, the cross of an addiction, the cross of presenting ourself as Christian in the midst of a world which rejects this message, or any cross which we must embrace. We know that the cross is not easy and thus it is easy to get crushed under its weight. Thus we too need this same glimpse into the splendor and light which awaits us in the Kingdom of Heaven which was experienced by Peter, James, and John on the mountaintop.

As Christ was transfigured in the midst of these three apostles we are instructed that His face shone like the sun and His clothes became as white as light. This is to say that through this moment in time He was expressing unto the apostles and unto each of us that which awaits us in Heaven. Indeed that which awaits us in Heaven is most beautiful and true and thus may we always place this reality before our sight no matter the cross or difficulty which might present itself unto us for the Transfiguration serves as a reminder of the Kingdom of Heaven.

With the Transfiguration of our Lord placed upon mind and heart may we always move forward towards Heaven. May we allow nothing to get us caught off guard, but rather may we always move forwards towards Christ. May we truly strive to look upon this map which orients our sight towards the joys of Heaven and thus allow it to lead us towards this great reality.