2^ND WEEK OF LENT (LK 9:28-36)
Today’s liturgy presents to us the Transfiguration of Jesus. What is the significance of this transfiguration? There are five things that I would like to share. They are.

1. Transfiguration reassures Jesus’ identity as Israel’s Messiah. His identity has been a central theme of Lukan gospel. During his baptism, Holy Spirit come on him in the form of dove and his Father acknowledges him as his only beloved Son. Again Herod Antipas is interested to know the identity of Jesus (Lk9:7-9). When he hears of what Jesus has been doing he is so puzzled. He knew for sure that he beheaded John the Baptist. Now who is this man that does these entire wonderful things? Is John raised from the dead? On another occasion Jesus himself asks his disciples about his identity. Who do people say that I am? (Lk 9:18-20). They also give the same answer as Herod thinks of Jesus to be either Elijah or John the Baptist or one of the ancient prophets raised from the dead. But Peter prompted by Holy Spirit acknowledges him to be the Son of God, the long awaited Messiah. This is the only time in the gospels Peter speaks the truth and says the right thing about Jesus. All the other times he acts almost like a Satan. It proposes that he had the tendency to be so quick to say the wrong thing. That is what he does here also. As soon as Elijah and Moses are about to departure Peter suggests something against what Jesus should be doing. We know that just one week ago Jesus foretells them about his passion death and resurrection. In Mark’s gospel we see that Peter gets rebuked for proposing Satanic ways to Jesus after Jesus’ prediction about his death. He repeats the same thing here. This proposal from Peter calls for Divine intervention. The Father tells them (in particular tells Peter) to follow what Jesus says. In other words he repeats the same thing as Jesus did the previous time. You stop instructing my son. Instead, follow what he says.

2. It identifies the Kingdom. A week ago Jesus tells them that some of them will not die before seeing the kingdom. There could be many explanations about what Jesus said. But Transfiguration will be the closest and immediate understanding of the kingdom that Jesus spoke about. The some of them Jesus mentioned about are Peter, John and James. And Peter knows very well what would happen to Jesus if he goes down to Jerusalem. Though it looks like Peter’s love for Jesus does not allow him to let Jesus go down, still it is not in accord with God’s plan. In a way he has been a hindrance for Jesus fulfilling his mission for which he came to this earth.

3. It clarifies that Jesus is neither Elijah nor Moses, but indeed one who is far greater. When Peter sees Elijah and Moses conversing with Jesus, the initial understanding of Peter would be that Jesus is same like Elijah and Moses. But the Divine intervention tells Peter that what he thinks is not true. Jesus is far greater than these two. They represent law and the prophecy. Whereas, Jesus is God’s own Son who is the fulfillment of both laws and the prophecies.

4. It demonstrates that Cross and Crown are two parts of one plan. When Elijah and Moses converse with Jesus, they talk about the whole thing that is going to take place, both death and resurrection. There is no crown without cross. Jesus had to undergo this cross in order to get the crown. What is the crown? It is the salvation of all people.

5. Finally, it is a testimony to the fact that God is able to raise men from death, to possess the kingdom. Resurrection of Jesus is the hope and promise that if we die with Christ, we also will rise with him on the day of resurrection.