We have seen that Jesus received temptations, just like the rest of us, and we will see scripture work out what he did with them.

It was so human.

This week we see him transfigured into dazzling light. Not so human. More like a heavenly display.

Which is the real Jesus? There are two Ignatian insights that shed light on this question and on Sunday’s readings.

First, sometimes in the spiritual life, the future gets displayed in the present. Example: some years ago your author was walking somewhat sadly along the streets of his neighborhood, unable to sleep, but wishing that he could revive more significance in his belief in God. Suddenly without warning he found his insides coming out of him, so to speak, and he said out loud, Oh God, Oh Jesus, I love you. Who knows how long this experience lasted—maybe ten seconds or ten minutes—but suddenly it was over. He was back to his ordinary state, wishing he could know and love God better!

If you can envision that, you might see that he had experienced “a transfiguration.” His usual and in this case, dull, fearful approach to the Father and the Son was transformed, transfigured, showing what was really there, but which he was not at that point able to fully receive. We human beings have to wait and be stretched before we are ready to see God in a more personal way. But, lest we become discouraged and give up, God might render us a short vision of how things really are at their core. A transfiguration.

Second, when a graced view occurs, you and I want very much to hang on to the gift because it is so wonderful. We tend to forget about the giver, even though the giver is the main point. We become attached to the feel-good part. Maybe that is why Jesus says in today’s reading, “do not tell this experience to anyone.” He does not want the transfiguration to be a carnival attraction (“hey, look how white his clothes are! Incredible!”). Theologians call it a “prefiguring” of the risen Jesus.

Our love relationship with Jesus/God is what counts, and particular feelings are supposed to be just symbols of it. “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him” (Not “watch this and get a big kick out of it!”) We must look to whatever relationship grace has given us, and let everything else lead to and from it.

To summarize: sometimes God gives us glimpses of our relation with Jesus that are too much for us, but that can encourage us. The transfiguration may have been one of these for the two apostles. The purpose of their glimpse is to keep them (or us) involved in the relationship, to let us glimpse the real Jesus, rather than just to give them a thrill.

Conclusion: let us not give up. Let us follow Jesus along, step by step. The encouragement from this Sunday is great.

You are invited to email a note to the author of this reflection:
Fr. John Foley, SJ