The Gospel today tells about the Transfiguration of Christ, where His appearance changed before His three disciples. His face sparkled like the sun, and his clothes became all bright and white as light. This remarkable experience confirmed the divinity of Jesus to His selected disciples who witnessed it. It happened to help strengthen their faith. It was a moment Peter wished would not end.

There are times in our lives when we wish something would not end, particularly experiences of happiness with our loved ones, as well as moments of achievements and victories. However, the truth is we are meant to just pass through them briefly in our earthly pilgrimage. These episodes in our lives are both a hint and hope for us. Spectacular moments in our lives, like Jesus’ Transfiguration, give us a hint on how transitory the joys this world offers are. They also provide a sense of hope towards the glory and happiness reserved for those who have faith. They make us long for true and lasting happiness. They remind us that in our lives, there are still far more than what we see, hear, or experience every day for as long as we are alive.

There may still be many deserts for us to thread, stormy and turbulent seas to sail, dark and gloomy nights in our Gethsemanes, and painful and sorrowful Golgothas. May Our Lord’s transfiguration be a source of hope that real and lasting joy still awaits us. Let us live our lives being open and patient to the challenges and crosses of life leading us to an authentic experience of sharing Christ’s resurrection in the end.

By: Sem. Lester John D. Cabais

Today’s Gospel

Mk 9:2-10

Jesus took Peter, James, and his brother John,
and led them up a high mountain apart by themselves.
And he was transfigured before them,
and his clothes became 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;
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.

As they were coming down from the mountain,
he charged them not to relate what they had seen to anyone,
except when the Son of Man had risen from the dead.
So they kept the matter to themselves,
questioning what rising from the dead meant.