The Transfiguration

6 August - The Transfiguration of Our Lord

The transfiguration of Jesus is a story told in the New Testament when Jesus is transfigured and becomes radiant in glory upon a mountain. 

Jesus and three of his apostles, Peter, James, and John, go to a mountain (the Mount of Transfiguration) to pray. 

On the mountain, Jesus begins to shine with bright rays of light. 

Then the prophets Moses and Elijah appear next to him and he speaks with them. 

Jesus is then called "Son" by the voice of God the Father.

Gospel: Mark 9:2-10

The Transfiguration

Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach them. And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, who were talking with Jesus.  Then Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings,one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” He did not know what to say, for they were terrified. Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud there came a voice, “This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!” Suddenly when they looked around, they saw no one with them any more, but only Jesus.

 Reflection - perhaps a point for teaching?

The word ‘cloud’ might be important.

Peter, James and John were covered by a cloud in the Transfiguration story

The disciples were afraid when the cloud came upon them. 

They had been with Jesus, and now he had disappeared. 

Can you remember it being cloudy and stormy and scary?

I remember being in cloud at one time when climbing in the alps, and that put fear into me.

However clouds are not always physical. We can be in a ‘cloud’ when we are faced with a hard decision. How will we choose? 

Sometimes we can experience times of shadow, when a cloud hangs heavily over us. That too may be a difficult time.

Lord, when my cloud comes, teach me to relax, gaze patiently and see Jesus coming towards me.