The transfiguration of Jesus is a manifestation of His radiance and glory forever.

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊

Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14

 I looked and saw the following:

Some thrones were set in place and One of Great Age took his seat. His robe was white as snow, his hair white as washed wool. His throne was flames of fire with wheels of blazing fire.   A river of fire sprang forth and flowed before him. Thousands upon thousands served him and a countless multitude stood before him.

Those in the tribunal took their seats and opened the book.  I continued watching the nocturnal vision:

One like a son of man came on the clouds of heaven. He faced the One of Great Age and was brought into his presence.

 Dominion, honor and kingship were given him, and all the peoples and nations of every language served him. His dominion is eternal and shall never pass away; his kingdom will never be destroyed.

  

Ps 97:1-2, 5-6, 9

The Lord is king, the most high over all the earth.

 

 ＊＊＊ 2nd Reading ＊＊＊

2 Peter 1:16-19

Indeed, what we taught you about the power and the return of Christ Jesus our Lord was not drawn from myths or formulated theories. We ourselves were eyewitnesses of his majesty,  when he received glory and honor from God the Father, when from the magnificent Glory this most extraordinary word came upon him: “This is my beloved Son, this is my Chosen One.”  We ourselves heard this voice from heaven when we were with him on the holy mountain.

Therefore, we believe most firmly in the message of the prophets which you should consider rightly as a lamp shining in a dark place, until the break of day, when the Morning Star shines in your hearts.

 

 

＊＊＊＊ 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.  They had just appeared in heavenly glory and were telling him about his departure that had to take place in Jerusalem.

Peter and his companions had fallen asleep, but they awoke suddenly and saw Jesus’ Glory and the two men standing with him.  As Moses and Elijah were about to leave, Peter said to him, “Master, how good it is for us to be here for we can make three tents, one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.”

For Peter didn’t know what to say.  And no sooner had he spoken than 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 Chosen one, 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.

 

Gospel Reflection：

Tabor vs Hiroshima

Jesus was transfigured and the disciples were so transfixed by the sight that Peter wanted to eternalize the moment. But then, Jesus was soon back to his normal appearance and they descended the mountain; but I believe the impact of the vision was so great that those three disciples didn’t look at him the same way as before.

 

For they knew who he truly was. Couldn’t this be true of us as well? Every human being around us, despite their ordinary appearance, carries the hidden glory of God, the very image and likeness.

If only we could see into them and eternalize it in our vision! We would then remove our sandals (cf. 3:5) and walk with respect on the holy ground we share with them. But when this vision fails, we reduce the other to the kind of disfiguration at Hiroshima, the painful memory of which we ironically observe on this same day. ﹝see the reflection on February 19﹞