A transfiguration is literally a change in form or appearance. As we celebrate the Transfiguration today, we hear about Jesus’ change of appearance on his journey up the mountaintop with three of his apostles, how his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light. We have the literal definition of that word transfiguration, but, looking at the heart of our celebration today, we might wonder why the transfiguration occurred and what purpose it served. The transfiguration served to strengthen the faith of some of Jesus’ apostles shortly before his passion and crucifixion. Sometimes we can go on a big spiritual experience, like those going to the Eucharistic congress in Indianapolis recently. And perhaps compared to a mountaintop experience like this, going to mass at our parish every Sunday is commonplace and mundane and not as exciting. However, Jesus and those apostles knew that they were not meant to remain on the mountaintop for eternity, even though the joy and ecstasy of that experience gave them the feeling that they never wanted to come down. Yet, they had to come down from the mountaintop to confront the reality of their lives and for Jesus to continue his journey to the cross and resurrection, to fulfill his destiny. I love going to the pilgrimage of Santiago de Compostela in Spain. The joy I feel in my heart when I go there is like nothing else. However, it is special because it is not an everyday occurrence. Sometimes it is tough getting through our days. Sometimes our days seem boring or like drudgery. Those mountaintop experiences can energize us and renew us and help us keep going on our journey. They can provide inspiration for us. Let us learn that lesson from Christ’s transfiguration.
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