With three chosen disciples Jesus went up the mountain. Then he was transfigured by a wonderful light that made even his clothes seem to shine. Moses and Elijah stood by him and spoke with him of how he was going to complete his task on earth by dying in Jerusalem.
In other words, they spoke of the mystery of his incarnation, and of his saving passion upon the cross.
For the law of Moses and the teaching of the holy prophets clearly foreshadowed the mystery of Christ. The law portrayed it by types and symbols inscribed on tablets.
The prophets in many ways foretold that in his own time he would appear, clothed in human nature, and that for the salvation of all our race he would not refuse to suffer death upon the cross.
The presence of Moses and Elijah, and their speaking together, was meant to show unmistakably that the law and the prophets were the attendants of our Lord Jesus Christ.
He was their master, whom they had themselves pointed out in advance
in prophetic words that proved their perfect harmony with one
another. The message of the prophets was in no way at variance with
the precepts of the law.
Moses and Elijah did not simply appear in silence; they spoke of how
Jesus was to complete his task by dying in Jerusalem, they spoke of
his passion and cross, and of the resurrection that would
follow.Thinking no doubt that the time for the kingdom of God had
already come, Peter would gladly have remained on the mountain. He
suggested putting up three tents, hardly knowing what he was
saying.
But it was not yet time for the end of the world; nor was it in this
present time that the hopes of the saints would be fulfilled—those
hopes founded on Paul’s promise that Christ “would
transform our lowly bodies into the likeness of his glorious
body.” Only the initial stage of the divine plan had as yet
been accomplished.
Until its completion was it likely that Christ, who came on earth
for love of the world, would give up his wish to die for it? For his
submitting to death was the world’s salvation, and his
resurrection was death’s destruction.
As well as the vision of Christ’s glory, wonderful beyond all
description, something else occurred which was to serve as a vital
confirmation, not only of the disciples’s faith, but of ours
as well.
From a cloud on high came the voice of God the Father saying:
“This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased. Listen to
him.”
Homily 9 on the Transfiguration: PG 77, 1011-1014
Cyril of Alexandria (d. 444) succeeded his uncle
Theophilus as patriarch in 412. Until 428 the pen of this
brilliant theologian was employed in exegesis and polemics against
the Arians; after that date it was devoted almost entirely to
refuting the Nestorian heresy. The teaching of Nestorius was
condemned in 431 by the Council of Ephesus at which Cyril
presided, and Mary’s title, Mother of God, was solemnly
recognized. The incarnation is central to Cyril’s theology.
Only if Christ is consubstantial with the Father and with us can
he save us, for the meeting ground between God and ourselves is
the flesh of Christ. Through our kinship with Christ, the Word
made flesh, we become children of God, and share in the filial
relation of the Son with the Father.
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Journey with the Fathers
Commentaries on the Sunday Gospels
- Year C, pp. 32-33.
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