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So what exactly happened on the mountain? The uncreated Light, the Cloud of Unknowing, the overwhelming fear, the desire to cling to the moment - all these suggest the classic experience of an encounter with the Holy, with the Divine - that juxtaposition of awesome mystery and alluring intimacy that Rudolf Otto wrote about in The Idea of the Holy. Whatever else might be said, the disciples came face to face with the mystery of God in Jesus Christ.
The lesson from Genesis suggests a similar meeting - side by side, the easy and intimate dialogue between God and Abram and the terrifying darkness and the manifestation of fire - the divine Presence - in the covenant ritual. Both overwhelming Awe and alluring Intimacy mark the human encounter with God.
In Luke (as in Matthew and Mark) this event is placed before a prophetic announcement of Christ’s suffering and death - that "exodus" which is the topic of conversation between Jesus, Moses and Elijah and cast as a fulfillment of Law and Prophets. It’s almost as if this revelation of Christ is given to prepare the disciples for the very real struggle to come. Jesus wants to give them courage to endure, to anchor their hope for the time of challenge.
The fact is, the Christian life involves change - we call it "conversion". The events to come - Jesus’ passion death and resurrection - will radically change the disciples. They will need the hope offered in this mountain-top event to enter into this always-painful process.
Our own following of Jesus will not allow us to remain as we are. God may indeed love us "as we are’ but He loves us too much to allow us to remain as we are. Accepting Jesus is opening up to profound changes in our lives, often challenging and painful as much as such change is good for us.
At first glance it might seem odd to have the story of the Transfiguration set before us towards the beginning of Lent. There is, after all, a special Feast of the Transfiguration in August; why it is showing up here, in this time of penance and preparation? Yet since early in its history, the Church has assigned this Gospel to these early Lenten days. I suggest that it serves the same purpose as its placement in the Gospel narrative just before the teaching about Christ’ suffering and death. As we move forward into the discipline and penance of lent, we need to be encouraged and strengthened by a vision of the goal. We find motivation and hope in a glimpse of the Glory that God intends for all who are united to Christ. To Him be the glory, together with the Father + and the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.
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