Jesus took Peter, James, and his brother, John,
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.
And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them,
conversing with him.
Then Peter said to Jesus in reply,
Lord, it is good that we are here.
If you wish, I will make three tents here,
one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.
While he was still speaking, behold,
a bright cloud cast a shadow over them,
then from the cloud came a voice that said,
This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased;
listen to him.
When the disciples heard this, they fell prostrate
and were very much afraid.
But Jesus came and touched them, saying,
Rise, and do not be afraid.
And when the disciples raised their eyes,
they saw no one else but Jesus alone.
As they were coming down from the mountain,
Jesus charged them,
Do not tell the vision to anyone
until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.
— Matthew 17:1-9
The peace of the Lord be with you. Today we observe the Feast of the Transfiguration of Jesus. As we see in Gospel reading today Jesus reveals that he is the fulfillment of the covenants between God and humankind. Just as we see described in the Book of Daniel, Jesus is the one who will assume the throne and who has existed before the beginning of time. Since the fall of the human race God has been calling and pleading with us to come back to live in union and harmony with him. Jesus, being both divine and human, finally fulfills God’s call and paves the way for us to follow as well. Once again Peter says something prophetic indicating that “it is good that we are here“.
Through the sacrifice of Jesus, we receive the fruits of the new covenant and no longer need to fear death — which is separation from God, our source of life. So those words of Peter are a call again today that it is good that we are here. All glory and praise to the lamb. In the name of the father, the son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.