Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light. – Matthew 17:1-2
Our Lenten adventure includes a mountain hike this Sunday! We follow Jesus, Peter, James, and John as they climb the mountain of encounter with the Holy Trinity. A theophany is a manifestation of God, a direct communication between God and humans. Moses and Elijah, who appear and speak with Jesus, both experienced theophanies on a mountain. Moses encountered God on Mt. Sinai in the burning bush in Exodus 3:2-6; later received the Mosaic Covenant, which included the Ten Commandments, in Exodus 19-32; and even met Him “face to face” (Exodus 33:11; Numbers 14:14; Deuteronomy 34:10). Elijah experienced God’s presence and heard the “still, small voice of the Lord” on the same mountain, Mt. Horeb/Sinai (1 Kings 19: 9-18).
In the Transfiguration, each of the Persons of the Holy Spirit is present. It is a theophany of the Holy Trinity. Jesus appeared in glory, the shining “Light of the World” (John 8:12), the Holy Spirit appeared as a “bright cloud,” and the Father spoke: “then from the cloud came a voice that said, ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him’” (Matthew 17:5).
The Transfiguration points us to the glory of Christ’s resurrection. It gives us direction for our Lenten journey. It reminds us of our destination: Easter Sunday. This fills me with hope in the Easter promises that St. Paul mentions in our second reading. He tells us that Christ’s grace is “now made manifest through the appearance of our savior Christ Jesus, who destroyed death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel” (2 Timothy 1:10).
Reflecting on the Transfiguration causes me to consider how Jesus is calling me to journey through Lent with this hopeful attitude of Easter as my destination. It also fills me with the desire to imitate Moses and have more face-to-face encounters with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. I am inspired to more fully experience God’s Presence within me when He manifests Himself by transforming bread and wine into His own Body and Blood simply to feed me. In the Eucharist, Christ’s grace is made manifest to us, our daily theophany of faith, hope, and love.
Jesus, I believe that You are with us until the end of the age, as You said (Matthew 28:20). Help me walk closely with You this Lent. Fill me with your faith, hope, and love.