Visit Tribe of Many Arrows on Etsy. These images are used with their permission,
and I am grateful for these beautiful creations accompanying my reflections this month.
Today, we look at the fourth Luminous Mystery of the Rosary: Transfiguration. The Transfiguration has always been a mystery I have wrestled with in terms of being able to relate to it, but I do feel in this we can find several nuggets for imitation. The three accounts contain the following basic three components that we will walk through: going away to be with Jesus, beholding the light of Jesus (so much so that you might even have a physical reaction), listen for God’s voice even when we are afraid.
After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John, and had led them up a high mountain apart by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became a dazzling white, such as no fuller on earth could bleach them. Then Elijah appeared to them along with Moses, and they were conversing with Jesus. Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, “Rabbi, it is good that we are here! Let us make three tents; one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” He hardly knew what to say, they were so terrified. Then a cloud came, casting a shadow over them; then from the cloud came a voice, “This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.” Suddenly, looking around they no longer saw anyone but Jesus alone with them. Mark 9:2-8 (NABRE)
About eight days after he said this, he took Peter, John, and James and went up the mountain to pray. While he was praying his face changed in appearance and his clothing became dazzling white. And Behold, two men were conversing with him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his exodus that he was going to accomplish in Jerusalem. Peter and his companions had been overcome by sleep, but becoming fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. As they were about to part from him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good that we are here; let us make three tents, one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah. But he did not know what he was saying. While he was still speaking a cloud came and cast a shadow over them, and they became frightened when they entered the cloud. Then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my chosen Son; listen to him.” After the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. They fell silent and did not at that time tell anyone what they had seen. Luke 9: 28-36 (NABRE)
- Think of the Eucharist as our mountain to go pray with Jesus. The Transfiguration takes place upon a mountain. While most of us don’t have local access to climbing a mountain to take some time to pray with Jesus, we should still take the time away to be with Jesus. Most of us have access to a Church every day of the week, some of us even have access to 24 hour adoration (Lucky!). The Eucharist is considered “the summit” of our faith. Looks like we found our mountain! Has Jesus asked for you to keep him company? Consider visiting Church 10-15 minutes each week to get away and pray with Him in the tabernacle. If you are lucky enough to be near a Church with 24 hour adoration, make a weekly date to spend time with Him there. I went to see the writer of Magnify speak and she shared—I can’t recall if she was saying this or quoting someone—but she said something to the effect of if you commit time to Jesus like this—you will be transformed by it. I believe it. I’ve experienced it myself. You find courage, peace, direction, confirmation, and all other sorts of consolations when you begin to commit to time with Jesus in adoration.
2. Bask in the light of Jesus. Reflect His light for all to see. Beholding the light of Jesus and His divinity, His Oneness with the Father must be an absolute incredible vision. I imagine that the Transfiguration was truly what we will behold in heaven upon seeing Jesus. Those apostles received a taste of heaven flanked by Elijah and Moses—the prophets and the law. So how can we behold this light here on earth. Jesus tells us He is the light of the world. In the Psalms we are told the Lord’s words are a lamp for our feet. Again, adoration is where we can most closely behold the light of Jesus, but I would also propose that reading and meditating on scripture and particularly the Gospels will give us the opportunity to behold the light of Jesus and have a taste of heaven. I have had a few times where in hard moments of life, I have laid or bowed down low before the Blessed Sacrament, so that the Lord comes to me in my poverty. I let Him be above me, shining His light over me to comfort me. Other times, I have extended my arms high above my head to be completely open to receiving His light. We might not get to see exactly what the apostles saw, but Jesus’ light is a divine one and it can shine into our lives if we only take the time to look for it, bask in it, and receive it.
Alternatively, upon receiving Holy Communion, really focus on feeling the light of Jesus within you. Let Him burn you up from the inside out. When you go back to your pew, meditate on how your soul is immersed in the light of Jesus physically present within you. Let that light stir in your soul how Jesus wishes you to see Him, Redeemer, one with the Father and Holy Spirit. Take time to let that light ignite your spirit. I have been so moved sometimes I am near tears.
3. Be not afraid! Listen to Jesus! We know the apostles were overwhelmed with what was happening during the Transfiguration. They were afraid. What must they have been thinking? Did they think they might be judged by Jesus, Elijah and Moses? Perhaps undergoing some sort of test? We don’t really know other than Peter was quick to offer to build some tents and then a cloud surrounds them. Because at the end of the Transfiguration, the apostles are left with Jesus alone. He’s what they need and He is what we need. I imagine at that point they can’t see much. The accounts are slightly different—a bright cloud casting a shadow, a cloud casting a shadow, and lastly that they actually enter the cloud. they all have God telling them to listen to Jesus. We must trust in times of trouble, fear, doubt, darkness, that God will speak to us and we will hear Him if we are listening. In times we feel unable to hear, trust the words at the Transfiguration—listen to Jesus. Open the Bible and let God speak to you in His Word. Opening your heart to scripture will allow your heart to listen more closely to how He wants to speak in your life.
The fruit of this mystery is desire for holiness. When we gaze upon Jesus and have hope in heaven, how can we not desire to be holy as Jesus was holy? He, the Holy of Holies, is who we are striving to be. Let us desire to imitate Him always in hopes of obtaining true holiness.
Visit Tribe of Many Arrows on Etsy. These images are used with their permission, and I am grateful for these beautiful creations accompanying my reflections this month.
If you missed the previous weeks’ reflections, catch them here:
The Joyful Mysteries: Annunciation, Visitation, Birth of Jesus, the Presentation, and the Finding of Jesus in the Temple.
The Sorrowful Mysteries: Agony in the Garden, Scourging at the Pillar, Crowning of Thorns, Carrying of the Cross, Crucifixion.
The Glorious Mysteries: The Resurrection, The Ascension, Pentecost, The Assumption, The Coronation of Mary, Queen of Heaven and Earth.
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