Transfiguration marks the beginning of Lent, on the Sunday before Ash Wednesday. The Book of Mark tells the story of a day when Jesus heads up a mountain with three of his disciples. Unexpecting what would happen, the disciples are frightened when Jesus becomes illuminated so brightly that they had to shield their eyes. The appearance of Moses and Elijah confuses them, and they do not know what to think. From the cloud that appears, they hear the voice of God, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to Him.”
There had been many times that the disciples had witnessed Jesus perform miracles, but this was different. This was when Jesus showed them that he was truly the Son of God, transforming from his human body, to the shape of God. This was a moment that the disciples wanted to share with everyone. They offered to build a shelter for Jesus, Moses and Elijah. They wanted to erect a place where others could come and see what they had witnessed. Jesus knew that he had many things to do and that God had many plans, yet to be revealed, and the disciples had much more to witness as disciples before they were ready to go out into the world and share the transformation.
Our lesson today, teaches us that God is forever changing and that we can only glimpse his future plans for the world. We would like to predict what lies before us and look forward to the ending of the story. Who is Jesus? When will Jesus return? How can we understand the mysteries held by God?
Once we grow closer to God and trust in his love, our journey through life becomes easier. There are many mysteries in life. Jesus was only with us for a few years, yet his teachings are still helping us to understand that when we reach our own limits, God will lift us up and carry us.
Let us remember the Transformation as we go forward this Lenten Season as a day in the life of Jesus when he shined brilliantly to show us that God is the light of the world.
