Deacon Matt's Reflection

Reflection for Feast of the Transfiguration

Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14: On this Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord, we celebrate God’s revelation of His glory to us. In this mesmerizing passage, God reveals His glory to the prophet, Daniel. In this vision, God imparts to Daniel a revelation of many facets of Himself; including His role as a King, taking His throne. Note that the Heavenly Kingdom is a monarchy, and not a democracy. In our God, we have a King. Laws aren’t made by popular opinion. Our God sets out His Law and Commandments by Divine Right; not through “election.” God is not swayed by contemporary ideas of right and wrong. “Truth” is unchanging and God’s stable conceptions of right and wrong promote peace, justice and security. A monarchy, with our God as King, is a step forward toward world peace!

Psalm 97: “The Lord is King, the Most High over all the earth.” Via this psalm, we continue to celebrate God’s Kingship and glory. We celebrate that God’s Kingdom is unlimited by earthly boundaries. Our God’s rule is world-wide and characterized by wisdom, justice and Divine Authority to act as Judge. In the second verse, when the psalmist observes that “the heavens proclaim (God’s) justice,” the author is contemplating how nature, itself and the natural order of the world and its environment reflect God’s power, His rhythmic order and harmony over all created things… including the natural world! Via observing God’s power and control over nature, “all peoples see His glory,” as the writer proclaims. Lastly, the psalmist proclaims God’s supremacy over all the earth; as well as our God’s transcendence over all other gods. Let’s pray this week to be ever mindful that we are subject to a Heavenly King, Who will, one day, judge us. Let’s be aware and be ready!

2 Peter 1:16-19: Continuing our theme of revealing God’s glory, Peter reveals the tempo and character of the Fledgling Church’s revelation of the advent of Jesus’ coming as Messiah, Savior and religious King of Israel and all of the world. As we see, Peter alludes to the revelation of Jesus’ divinity that occurred at the Transfiguration of the Lord, when the Heavenly Father’s voice was heard from the cloud. Jesus was indisputably proclaimed as the Son of God. Peter concisely and effectively defines this ‘visionary manifestation’, as God’s act of giving “honor and glory” to Jesus. That’s what we’re seeking to do, today: to give glory, praise and adoration and honor to our Lord and our God; Jesus Christ! Not just Peter, James and John; but all of us… through Scripture… “possess the prophetic message”… Jesus is Lord and God of all!

Matt 17:1-9:  Now, we have the account of the actual “Transfiguration,” wherein Jesus is revealed and/or validated as the Son of God, Whom is now known to be pleasing to God, our Father and righteous in His eyes. Contemplate how Jesus’ face shone, with resplendent light, like the sun and how His clothing became white, as light. These features of the “experience” reflect Jesus’ wisdom, purity, spiritual dignity and perfection, and His holiness.

This week, let’s let the very thought and contemplation of this experience “transfigure” us. May we make efforts to approach God; whether in prayer, or at Mass, to be more reverent, humble and respectful. Just picture being there; at the original “Transfiguration.” Then, contemplate that we’re actually before that same glorified Jesus, when we approach His Presence in the Communion line or when we’re kneeling before the Blessed Sacrament. Let that transform us!

Reflectively,
Deacon Matt