Gospel: Luke 9:28b-36
About eight days after Jesus had said all this, he took Peter, John and James, and went up the mountain to pray. And while he was praying, the aspect of his face was changed, and his clothing became dazzling white. Two men were talking with Jesus: Moses and Elijah. Appearing in the glory of heaven, Moses and Elijah spoke to Jesus about his departure from this life, which was to take place in Jerusalem. Peter and his companions had fallen asleep; but they awoke suddenly, and they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. As Moses and Elijah were about to leave, Peter not knowing what to say said to Jesus, “Master, how good it is for us to be here! Let us make three tents, one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” And no sooner had he spoken, then a cloud appeared and covered them; and the disciples were afraid as they entered the cloud. Then these words came from the cloud, “This is my Son, my Beloved, listen to him.” And after the voice had spoken, Jesus was there alone. The disciples kept this to themselves at the time, telling no one of anything they had seen.
Reflection:
"Jesus is the new Tent of Meeting."
In Exodus, the pillar of cloud descended on the camp as a sign that God was present and dwelt with the people in the Tent of Meeting. Now on the mountain, as the disciples pray with Jesus, the cloud descends once again, confirming that Jesus is Son and Saviour, that he is God-with-us. In John’s Gospel we hear how “the Word was made flesh; he had his tent pitched among us” (Jn 1:14). Jesus is the new Tent of Meeting. We meet God himself in Christ since Jesus is truly God. There is no need for any more tents on the mountain, since Jesus himself is the place of encounter with God. He is our place of shelter. The disciples lived with Jesus, but only slowly came to understand his identity. Although it would take some time for them to realize it, the Transfiguration is a key moment in that growing understanding, as it is a revelation of Christ’s divinity, showing that he is the One whom Daniel foretold long before, the One on whom “dominon, honor and kingship” is conferred, and whose dominion would never pass away. Let us dwell in the Lord’s tent, honoring his majesty.
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