The Transfiguration: Entering Deeper into the Mystery

In college, I had the opportunity to write an in depth exegesis on the Transfiguration account according to Luke. I chose this topic because I didn't have a strong understanding or devotion to this mystery. "Jesus went up the mountain, was transfigured, came back down. Okay, that's nice." I didn't mean to treat this mystery with flippancy, but I just didn't understand the depth and richness. But as I dove deep into this study of scripture, I uncovered a beauty and poetry I hadn't realized was there. On this Feast of the Transfiguration, I wish to share some of those golden nuggets I discovered in my college years.

What is the Transfiguration?

Firstly, the Transfiguration is an epiphany, which is an "appearance or manifestation, especially of a deity." In the Transfiguration, Christ was manifested in His Divine glory to Peter, James, and John. This is different from a theophany, which is defined as a direct communication of God to man, much like Moses' experience speaking with God on Mount Sinai. In a sense, the disciples did receive an indirect communication from Jesus at the Transfiguration, but it was in observing this great manifestation of his glory that they understood something new about him.

"His raiment became dazzling white"

All of the Gospel accounts of the Transfiguration remark that Jesus' clothes were altered. In English, Luke’s Gospel says his clothes were “dazzling”, but it uses the Greek word exastrapto, which more accurately translates to “flashing like lightning”. This same word appears in Ezekiel, when he receives his vision of the angels and wheels, describing their appearance as “gleaming” or “exastrapto.”

“They spoke of his departure”

The Greek word used in Luke’s Gospel for “departure” is exodos, which is very similar to the word “exodus.”  The word is a masculine noun that means exit, the close of one’s career, or departure from life. This takes on a new meaning and opportunity for deeper meditation: what was this conversation about Jesus’ Passion and death? Were Peter, James, and John privy to this conversation, as it seems that they did not fully understand what Jesus said when he said he would rise from the dead? 

The Cloud and the Voice of the Father

In Luke 9:34, Luke speaks of a cloud that “came and overshadowed them.” The Greek word used is episkiazo. It is the same word Luke uses when he describes the Holy Spirit overshadowing Mary at the Annunciation. With the voice of the Father, the Transfiguration becomes a revelation of the Holy Trinity, as each member becomes present.

“My chosen one”

Finally, the voice of the Father comes forth from the cloud, calling Jesus “My chosen one.” These words, found in Luke 9:35, are also discovered in Psalm 89:3: “Thou hast said, “I have made a covenant with my chosen one, I have sworn to David my servant...’” This correlates well, as Jesus came to fulfill the Davidic Covenant. This Greek word of eklegomai is also defined as the act of God choosing, specifically in the action of choosing the Israelites as His people. It is also used to describe the chosen Twelve Apostles, as seen in the Gospel of John (6:70). Just as Jesus is the chosen one of the Father, so then is it revealed that we are all chosen sons and daughters of God.

Summary

The mystery of the Transfiguration reveals to us a new manifestation of Jesus, but also the entire Trinity, as the Father and Spirit also make themselves known. Through conversation with Moses and Elijah, Jesus shares the mysteries of how he intends to save his people, his chosen ones. Through this scripture, God's intimacy with his people is revealed as the same word used to call Jesus his "chosen one" is the same word used to describe his people throughout the ages. May this luminous mystery help us to draw closer to the most Holy Trinity!