# The Transfiguration of Jesus
*2015-01-27*

> Bill Young reflects on the account of the Transfiguration in Mark 9, exploring how a glimpse of Christ's glory provides hope and strength during the journey of faith.

## The Account of the Transfiguration

In the Gospel of Mark, chapter 9, verses 2 through 10, we read that six days later, Jesus took Peter, James, and John and led them up to a high mountain apart by themselves. There, he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach. Elijah and Moses appeared, talking with Jesus. Peter, not knowing what to say because they were terrified, told Jesus, 'Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us make three dwellings: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.'

Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud came a voice saying, 'This is my son, the beloved. Listen to him.' Suddenly, they looked around and saw no one with them anymore but only Jesus. As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them to tell no one about what they had seen until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead. The disciples kept the matter to themselves, questioning what this rising from the dead could mean.

## A Taste of Future Hope

The three disciples experienced the Holy One on the mountain. This was a taste of hope for the future, a glimpse into the glory of God in Jesus—the glory that would eventually await them. Like many of our own experiences of God, this event escaped their immediate understanding. They did not fully understand what Jesus had in store for them, but whatever they saw and heard kept them hungering for more of Him.

## From the Mountain to the World

This desire was later fueled by the Resurrection and the coming of the Holy Spirit, filling the disciples with a hope they had never known before. They took those experiences to heart and slowly began to understand what life in Christ meant. Even though it meant suffering, they shared their hope with people throughout the known world.

## Hope in the Lenten Journey

The transformation that God brings about within us during Lent brings us hope, especially at the Eucharistic banquet. Having been called to the Lord's table, we are confirmed and united so that as we walk our ways in faith and hope, we may bring joy and trust into the world.

*The glimpse of Christ's glory on the mountain serves as a source of hope and strength that sustains us through suffering and our journey of faith.*