Why the Transfiguration?

I have decided to suspend my blogging activities until further notice beginning with next week.  Please read this one to the end.

The Catholic Church celebrated the Feast of the Transfiguration this past Tuesday, August 6.  As you may recall from Scripture, Jesus "was transfigured before them (Peter, James, and John), and his face shone like the sun, and his garments became white as light."  (See Matthew 17:1-8).  Besides this, Moses and Elijah from the Old Testament appeared in this scene and were talking to Our Lord.  Peter was flabbergasted and could hardly put words together that made sense.  While shielding his eyes from the extreme brightness, he stated that he wanted to build three booths or tents, one for Jesus, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.

But before he was able to clarify himself, a "bright cloud overshadowed them" and a voice from within the cloud spoke, saying "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to him."  At this point, the light was so bright and the voice so overwhelming that they "fell on their faces with awe."  But, then, just as suddenly and unexpectedly, everything was back to normal.

Have you ever wondered what prompted Jesus and his heavenly Father to display themselves like this?  What events led up to this fascinating show of divinity, both of Jesus and of God the Father? Well, this Transfiguration occurred shortly after Our Lord made a strong statement to Peter:  "Get behind me, Satan!  You are an obstacle to me.  You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do."  (Matthew 16:23).  He was upset with Peter for not believing that Jesus would die and then rise again.  Apparently there was a need to bring Peter back to reality.  The Transfiguration accomplished that and then some.

Peter made reference to this event later, after Jesus' death, resurrection, and ascension, as we noticed in the second reading from the Mass on August 6: 

"We did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we had been eyewitnesses of his majesty.  For he received honor and glory from God the Father when that unique delcaration came to him from the majestic glory, 'This is my Son, my beloved, with whom I am well-pleased.'  We ourselves heard this voice come from heaven while we were with him on the holy mountain.  Moreover, we possess the prophetic message that is altogether reliable.  You will do well to be attentive, as a lamp shining in a dark place, until day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.'"  (2 Peter 1:16-19).

Throughout the MTT blog weekly for the past 5+ years, I have tried to communicate the importance to being faithful to God and to his Church.  But with this one clear statement from St. Peter in his letter, my posted thoughts take a back seat.  Scripture stories are not cleverly devised myths.  Peter was an eyewitness!  Peter's takes ownership of the divine message and this message is altogether reliable, and here it is, spoken plainly by God himself:  "Listen to him."  It is important, as St. Peter says, to "be attentive."

I have posted my thoughts almost every Thursday since the fall of 2013.  That is approximately 300 posts.  This is my last.  But every now and then, Facebook recalls a memory that is a MTT post.  I will share it when that happens.  God bless you in your efforts to remain faithful to God in your life.