I'm only breaking today's session into two pieces - okay, maybe three. The reason for this division will be apparent as soon as the reader looks at the assigned reading, Mt 17:1-18 (or my reflections thereon). This is another of those which causes me to wonder if
The first part of this reading is a parallel to the Gospel reading of the second Sunday of Lent this year (March 1st). Since this followed the fourth Saturday of February, our parish men's fellowship group discussed the Transfiguration together at our semimonthly meeting. But new (for me) thoughts are occurring to me just from a quick glance at this part of the reading.
And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain apart. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his garments became white as light. And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Eli'jah, talking with him.
And Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is well that we are here; if you wish, I will make three booths here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Eli'jah."
He was still speaking, when lo, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him."
When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces, and were filled with awe. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, "Rise, and have no fear." And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only. And as they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, "Tell no one the vision, until the Son of man is raised from the dead."- Mt 17:1-9
First, the "and after six days" refers to their arrival at Caesarea Philippi and Jesus beginning to prepare them for his Passion and death. This is important context, I think, for this dramatic event.
Aside from their subsequent key leadership roles and their chronological primacy as disciples, I've always wondered: why just these three? I suspect its the same answer as "why doesn't everybody get to witness miracles?" God does what causes the most people to choose him for eternity! In some cases, Jesus makes clear that the reason a miracle happened was related to the faith of the recipient; I readily admit that my faith is so much less than that of many people I know. No Transfiguration moment for me, I guess. But my faith is not in my faith, nor in miraculous works; it is in my Savior.
As we observed in our men's group, at the beginning of this reading, the disciples may have been more impressed by Moses and Elijah than by Jesus. Perhaps it was a matter of either their familiarity with him or their pride over their place in him obscuring what a wonder they were witnessing. Maybe it was because they didn't yet truly understand or believe in who He is. Clearly he desires for them to have this glimpse of his glory, and the Father wants to make sure they don't miss the point: there is no need for three booths here, there is only One to follow.
Peter, James and John are terrified when they hear the Father's voice, as we should be. Yet Jesus' first word to them is the same as it has always been to those who tremble before him: do not be afraid. Jesus has reconciled us, and while that is cause for humility before him, it is also a comfort against the fear that always accompanies our realization that we are unworthy of him.
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