clothes shone, becoming as white as no bleach of this world could make them. Elijah and Moses
appeared to them; the two were talking with Jesus. Then Peter spoke and said to Jesus, “Master,
it is good that we are here; let us make three tents, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.
” For he did not know what to say: they were overcome with awe. But a cloud formed, covering
them in a shadow, and from the cloud came a voice, “This is my Son, the Beloved: listen to him!”
And suddenly, as they looked around, they no longer saw anyone except Jesus with them.
As they came down the mountain, he ordered them to tell no one what they had seen, until the
Son of Man had risen from the dead. So they kept this to themselves, although they discussed
with one another what ‘to rise from the dead’ could mean. Finally they asked him, “Why, then,
do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?” Jesus answered them, “Of course
Elijah will come first, so that everything may be as it should be. But why do the Scriptures say
that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be despised? I tell you that Elijah has already
come; and they have treated him as they pleased, as the Scriptures say of him.”
Reflect
One of the most comforting realizations about facing life’s difficulties is the knowledge that we
don’t do it alone. Even if we lack friends and if our family situation is difficult, we are never alone.
As part of the Body of Christ, we are part of something larger than ourselves.
The reading from the Letter to the Hebrews places our faith in the context of those who have gone
before us. As Abel, Enoch, and Noah relied on God and were holy, we can do the same, following
their example and placing our trust in that same God. The Transfiguration places Jesus’ ministry
as the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets, represented by Moses and Elijah.
Baptized as children of God, we take our place in that great legacy. We build on the faith of our
ancestors -- both the great saints celebrated by the whole Church and those whose quiet lives are
known only to a few. In turn, we share our faith with the next generation, guiding them to an
encounter with Christ and a life of holiness.
© Copyright Bible Diary 2023