Lectionary Reflection: Transfiguration Sunday

Matthew 17:1-9

17:1 Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves.
17:2 And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white.
17:3 Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him
17:4 Then Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah."
17:5 While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, "This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!"
17:6 When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear.
17:7 But Jesus came and touched them, saying, "Get up and do not be afraid."
17:8 And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone.
17:9 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, "Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead."

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For those churches that follow the Revised Common Lectionary, the last Sunday of the Epiphany season -- also the last Sunday before Lent -- is Transfiguration Sunday. On Epiphany we recalled Jesus' manifestation to the Gentiles through the gifts of the wise men. On Transfiguration Sunday, we will recall Jesus' revelation of himself as the Son of God on the mountaintop. According to the story, Moses and Elijah witness to this manifestation of Jesus, and we also hear the voice of God. Meanwhile, the disciples appear as confused as the rest of us upon witnessing the miraclous disclosure of the Son.

Origen read the transfiguration story as a spiritual account of the our journey towards God. In other words, when we read the story, we participate in it alongside the disciples. As was consistent among the Fathers, the mountain serves as a metaphor for the spiritual journey. Each of us beholds God according to the knowledge we have attained at that point in our journey. We are all at different points in the journey. Origen points out that those who did not go to the top of the Transfiguration mountain were able to behold Jesus' words and works. But they did not see His manifestation of His true self. Those who do make the journey are shown that manifestation as a gift, even if we do not comprehend it perfectly.