We were eyewitnesses of His sovereign majesty. He received glory and praise from God the Father when that unique declaration came to Him out of the majestic splendor: ‘This is My beloved Son, on Whom My favor rests.’
We ourselves heard this said from heaven while we were in His company on the holy mountain…Keep your attention closely fixed on it, as you would on a lamp shining in a dark place.” —2 Peter 1:17-19
Sts. Peter, James and John witnessed the transfigured majesty of Jesus on the holy mountain (Mt 17:1ff). They heard the voice of God the Father testify that Jesus is His Son (Mt 17:5). They saw Jesus’ face become “as dazzling as the sun, His clothes as radiant as light” (Mt 17:2). What a vision of heaven on earth! St. Matthew places the vision of the transfigured glory of Jesus between prophecies of Jesus’ intense suffering (Mt 16:21; 17:12). Thus Jesus’ glory is connected with His suffering. This is a message for our own lives; there is no glory apart from suffering. So we must bring Jesus our brokenness and sufferings. Through our crosses, we will share in His glory (see Rm 8:18). Currently, we suffer in this valley of tears (see Ps 23:4). St. Peter encourages us to keep before our eyes the transfigured majesty of Jesus (2 Pt 1:19), His coming again in glory, and our eternal destiny in heaven. A great way to do this is by attending Mass as often as possible, even daily. At each Mass, heaven is wedded to earth in Jesus (see Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1335), and we receive the Eucharistic, transfigured Lord Jesus. “Listen to Him” (Mt 17:5). “Fix your eyes on Jesus” (Heb 3:1).
PRAYER Father, help me stay focused on Your beloved Son, Jesus.
PROMISE “You, O Lord, are the Most High over all the earth.” —Ps 97:9
PRAISE: Praise Jesus, transfigured in glory, the “Light of the world” (Jn 8:12), shining in radiant splendour. (From a reflection by a member of the editorial team of the late Fr Al Lauer’s Presentation Ministries)
John Portelli
