Matthew 17:1-9
17Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. 2And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. 3Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. 4Then Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 5While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, “This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!” 6When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. 7But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Get up and do not be afraid.” 8And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone. 9As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, “Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”
For those of you who love Star Trek Next Generation, you may recall an episode called Transfiguration. On an isolated planet, the Enterprise discovers a survivor of an accident who is generating healing powers to restore his health. However, the unknown survivor suffers from amnesia so he knows neither his past nor his identity. The crew of the Enterprise call him John Doe. As John travels to the Enterprise, the healing power which restores his health becomes an energy with which he can heal others. As John’s body begins to heal, his memory begins to return. He recalls that he came from a planet from which he and the others on his ship were escaping but he cannot recall the reason. The Enterprise is intercepted by an unknown ship of Captain Sunad from the planet Zalkon and that he wants John returned to him. He explains that John is a criminal who has been given a death sentence. John transports Sunad to the Enterprise and informs the alien captain that they are a people going through an evolutionary change of their bodies from matter into pure energy. The others on their planet do not understand this transformation and kill people who are being changed. John shifts into a ball of light and disappears from the Enterprise, supposedly shifting into his newly evolved state.
Perhaps the Transfiguration of Jesus might appear as some otherworldly shape shifting. Nowhere in the bible can we discover a similar event. Strange indeed this story but its meaning makes Jesus something more than some shape shifter from Star Trek. We have to look deeply into the Gospel to discover the meaning of Jesus’ Transfiguration. For the Transfiguration is a story about Jesus’ identity.
In chapter 16, which precedes today’s reading, Peter identifies Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of the Living God. Jesus then tells Peter and the other disciples that he is called to be a suffering Messiah, God’s chosen one who will be crucified and risen. Peter rebukes Jesus for this unheard combination of agony and glory. Jesus ultimately rebukes Peter for his lack of understanding. Jesus then tells his disciples that his followers will have to deny themselves, take up their cross and follow Jesus. Jesus is inviting his disciples to understand that God is calling Jesus as a Suffering Messiah.
The story of the Transfiguration marks a new beginning for the disciples. When the Gospel speaks of the six day interval before the Transfiguration, we are invited to remember the six day beginning of creation and the start of God’s new world. Jesus is starting the world anew in his identity as Suffering Messiah. Today’s gospel takes the story to a new level. The Suffering Messiah will be the Resurrected Messiah.
The mystery revealed to you in the Transfiguration pushes you to the end of the Jesus story, pushes you beyond the cross, pushes you beyond the grave. You are transported to the moment of the resurrection, the ultimate transfiguration of Jesus from death to new life. This moment of transfiguration should baffle your mind and confront your understanding for nothing about it makes sense.
Nothing about your experience would show suffering as the way of transformation. From your earliest days, you are taught to avoid suffering, to stay away from pain, to flee from anguish. Yet we know that living our human lives involves deep pain, the anguish of separation, the trauma of death. Jesus comes to you as the one who has walked through the mystery of death and discovered life on the other side. Jesus invites you to walk that same journey, to enter into that very mystery and make that same discovery.
The Transfiguration marks a moment which reveals a new identity for Jesus. The Transfiguration also marks a moment which reveals your new identity. Through the mystery of death you discovered life on the other side. Not only in heaven but beginning now.
Our minds cannot make sense of this paradox and we feel as if we are banging our heads against a brick wall. At that moment of frustration, abide in the paradox, don’t run away from the bafflement and allow an unknown light to shine. The Light of the Transfiguration points you beyond the riddle which confuses you to the mystery which invites you.
You enter into that very mystery every time you receive Holy Communion that moment of paradox when the Risen Christ comes to you in a Broken Body and Blood poured out. In Holy Communion, you enter into that very mystery of being one with a Crucified and Risen Messiah.
Jesus assures you with those comforting words as he touches you: Do not be afraid. Do not be afraid of this mystery. Do not be afraid to enter into this paradox. Do not be afraid but surrender to the process for on the other side of dying you will discover unimagined new life.