A Glimpse of Hope and a Vision Beyond Suffering
The Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord
Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14; 2 Peter 1:16-19; Mark 9:2-10
The Bible contains touching stories about the deaths of Moses and Elijah. When Moses passed away, God himself buried him, and to this day, no one knows the location of his tomb (Deut 34:6). According to the Bible, no prophet like Moses communicated with God face to face and performed miraculous acts in Egypt to free God's people from slavery (Deut 34:10-12). On the other hand, when it was time for Elijah to depart from this world, God took him up to heaven in a chariot of fire (1 Kings 2:11). Elijah was renowned for his miraculous deeds, and no one could ever claim to be his equal (Sir 48:1-11). Both Moses and Elijah were exceptional prophets, taken up to heaven to live with God. We see these two prophets today conversing with Jesus about his impending departure in Jerusalem. What is the deeper meaning behind this encounter?
Before Jesus led Peter, James, and John to a high mountain, he spoke about his forthcoming Passion – his suffering, ridicule, and crucifixion in Jerusalem. The apostles, particularly Peter, struggled to accept the notion of their Master enduring such hardships. They desired to see Jesus victorious at all times, transcending suffering. About a few days later, Jesus brought the three disciples to a high mountain to reveal his majesty and glory, preparing them for the scandal of the cross.
Painful experiences in our lives are often connected to tragedies, and people find it difficult to comprehend why suffering exists. The age-old question arises: Why does God allow bad things to happen to good people? The prophet Habakkuk once lamented over this apparent contradiction: “Your eyes are too pure to look on evil; you cannot tolerate wrong. Why then do you tolerate the treacherous? Why are you silent while the wicked swallow up those more righteous than themselves?” (Habakkuk 1:13). The apostles wrestled with the same question hearing about Jesus, who healed the sick, expelled demons and made people alive again, about to face suffering. The transfiguration of Jesus aimed to address this profound question.
By transforming himself before their eyes, Jesus offered them a glimpse of his divine majesty (2 Peter 1:16). They witnessed what the prophet Daniel had foretold about the Son of man receiving dominion, glory, and kingship, with all peoples and nations serving him (Daniel 7:14). The transfiguration was meant to instil hope and strengthen their faith in the face of Jesus' impending suffering. Even witnessing Jesus' tragic death, they were not to lose faith, knowing that suffering does not have the final say.
There are times when the enormity of our pains and trials leads us to despair, questioning whether God sees our suffering and what His purpose is in it. But imagine someone showing you a glimpse of your future life beyond this world – a life in the presence of God, reunited with loved ones, free from suffering. Such a vision, however fleeting, can make a profound difference in how you view your earthly life.
St. Paul wrote about our citizenship being in heaven, where we await the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ (Philippians 3:20). We do not live for this world alone. There is another reality to which the presence of Moses and Elijah give witness. We journey towards it and the path to that reality is the cross of Christ. The Bible calls it everlasting life, being with God forever, and bodily resurrection. Saint Paul calls it a mystery that is at the heart of our faith. It proclaims the resurrection of the dead, the transformation of the living, and all living in God’s presence forever (1 Cor 15:51-52; 1 Tess 4:17).
The message of Jesus' transfiguration offers a glimpse into a different world. In the presence of suffering, we see Jesus’ glory, we see Moses and Elijah alive in God, and we hope that one day we will be with them. This vision offers us hope as we journey through life, knowing that something beautiful awaits us after the trials of this world.