While living among His disciples, Jesus had often spoken to them of His kingdom, and of His second coming in glory - the Parousia at end-time. About a year before His passion, to strengthen their faith in the kingdom and of His glory therein, he gave them a wonderful vision, an experience that was to prepare them the better for what was to come.
He took three of His closest disciples, Peter, James, and John, atop a high mountain, traditionally referred to as Mount Tabor in Galilee, which is some 2000 ft above Lake Tiberias. There they saw Him suddenly transfigured, i.e., His face was brilliantly illuminated sun-like, and His clothes dazzled a glistening white, while in conversation with Him appeared Moses and Elijah signifying that Jesus was the fulfillment of the law as represented by Moses and the reality of all the prophetic messages as represented by Elijah.
The Transfiguration was a significant moment when Jesus was revealed as the long-awaited Messiah. Peter, James, and John witnessed His glory and saw the Father acknowledge Him as the beloved and only begotten Son of God. This experience gave them a glimpse of the essence of His redemptive work, which ultimately led to His Resurrection. Indeed, the Transfiguration prefigures the everlasting enthronement of Christ. It is this glorification that the Church celebrates today.
This feast is known to have been observed in Jerusalem as early as the eighth century and in most parts of the Byzantine Empire in the ninth century. In the Orthodox Church, it has always had great importance. The Syrians and Armenians celebrated it as a three-day festival from the seventh Sunday after Pentecost, preceded by a six-day fast. In the Western Church, it is mentioned in some ninth-century writings. Its observance was gradually extended to the entire Church, with Pope Callistus III fixing it for 6th August in celebration of Hunyadi Janos' great victory over the Turks at Belgrade on 6th August 1456.
Lord Jesus, Word of God, surrendering the brightness of Your glory, You became man so that we may be raised from the dust to share Your very being. May there be innumerable children of the Church to offer homage to Your name from the rising of the sun to its setting. Amen.
Jonathan Fabian Ginunggil,
Most High Servant,
Jesus, Mary, Joseph Ministry of Love
(Blessed and Saints and the Nine Choirs of Angels)
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