This Sunday, in the Gospel of Mark, 9:2-9, we will hear the story of the transfiguration of Jesus, when he led Peter, James and John up a mountain, and they witnessed a stunning sight. Jesus’ whole appearance became dazzling white and shining, and Elijah and Moses appeared beside him, talking with him. The disciples didn’t know what to say or do, and were terrified.
This account raises a number of questions for me, especially that of wondering about the reason for having Peter, James and John experience this vision. Since they weren’t present at Jesus’ baptism in the Jordan, was it important for them to hear the voice of God proclaiming Jesus as his Son, the Beloved? Was it to illustrate to them that Elijah and Moses, two of the most revered prophets of Jewish tradition, accepted Jesus as the Messiah? Was it to give them assurance of Jesus’ relationship to God as the time of traveling ministry was drawing to a close and the journey to Jerusalem was on the horizon?
One approach is to consider that this mountaintop experience may have given each disciple just what he needed to be a faithful servant of Christ, and later to accept the miracle of the resurrection. Going forward, they would need inspiration, confidence, and unshakable faith in the message they preached. We, then, can take from this the message the good news that Christ will come into our lives in the way that we need him.
So how, as people living in a world that seems to have very little in the way of visions, can we even relate to this story, much less apply it to our lives? There is no simple answer that will speak to everyone, but we each need to be ready to walk up that mountain trail with Jesus. With an open heart and complete trust in our Savior, what we see and hear there is what can transfigure us into the people of God that we are called to be.
Your friend in Christ,
Mary Rogers