To Be Transfigured

15th century painting by Theophanes the Greek.

Yesterday we celebrated and contemplated the Transfiguration of the Lord. As described on the PC(USA) website, transfiguration Sunday celebrates the glorious revelation of God in Jesus Christ and Christ’s manifestation as the fulfillment of the law and the prophets. Jesus’ radiant appearance on the mountaintop evokes the devouring fire of the glory of the LORD at Mount Sinai (Exodus 24.17). Here, as at Jesus’ baptism, God claims him as a beloved child, in whom God is well pleased.

Similarly, in Jesus’ transfiguration, we are assured that Jesus is the hope of the ages. Jesus is the One who fulfilled the Law given through Moses, the one dreamed of by the prophets, of whom Elijah is the greatest.

In celebrating this event, we rejoice in the divine majesty of Christ, whose glory shone even when confronted with the cross. It is given us for our journey through Lent toward the agony of the cross and the victory of the empty tomb. We celebrate this mystery in order that our faith may be renewed. We are transformed into the new being in Christ as we join Christ in his death and resurrection in Lent and Easter.

As we begin a new week and prepare ourselves for the season of Lent we are challenged to celebrate and contemplate our own transfiguration...

How are you going to be transfigured and how are you going to transfigure others? 


*The above information from the PC(USA) can be found at http://www.presbyterianmission.org/ministries/worship/transfiguration-lord/