The Transfiguration, to me, is the most powerful encounter anyone had with Jesus, during His three years of public ministry. I was privileged several years ago, to present a reflection at a Mass held by the Las Vegas Dominicans of the Feast of the Transfiguration, which happens to be the Feast on which Saint Dominic transitioned into heavenly life. Following is an excerpt reflection:

Some of you may recall the old Science Fiction show, Twilight Zone; if so, you will remember that Rod Serling, the creator of the TV series, often began episodes with his famous line, “Imagine if you will…...”

On this feast of the transfiguration, I’d like to borrow these words and ask you to “imagine if you will” that you are on Mount Tabor. Imagine yourself about halfway up the climb to the summit of Mount Tabor. You are tired and Jesus is at least 50 yards ahead of you. You know what is going to happen, but you are not sure you’ll be able to continue the climb, to get close enough to experience this magnificent event. 

You have companions along the way, John on your right, holding your elbow and trying to help you find the strength for the climb. In his usual way, he is very solicitous. On your left is Peter, and to his left, James. They have slowed their pace in order to be with you, even though they’re confused about who you are and what you are doing there. “Who is this strange man (or woman),” Peter asks, and “Why is he/she here with us? He is not a disciple, she is dressed very oddly, what on earth is she wearing?” John assures Peter, “Don’t worry, there must be a reason she is here! Trust the Teacher.” 

These three guys are really confused about this whole thing. When they began their ascent, they thought it was just like so many other times, Jesus took them aside to pray with Him. But there is something different today! Jesus is in a hurry, He can’t wait to reach the summit. He has a sense of urgency. The three are thinking, “Is the Father going to be at the top of the mountain? Is there going to be a burning bush? A voice from the heavens?” They all know something is different about today, besides this fourth person that they do not recognize who is joining them on the journey. 

But you are calm, you know exactly what is going to happen, how it will affect the three apostles, but you also wonder why you are there, why have you been chosen to witness this amazing miracle? Jesus turns around, eager for all four of you to catch up. You know the three guys can do it easily, they’ve climbed these hills many times with Jesus, but you tell Him you don’t think you have the strength to make it. He senses your pain and your weakness. He immediately comes down the mountain to where the four of you are and picks you up like a shepherd would pick up the sheep that is too weak to make it on their own. You are now weeping uncontrollably. But when He reaches the summit, He gently sets you down on your feet. The other three have now caught up because they know you’re taken care of. They are trembling with excitement and perhaps fear, but you whisper to John, “Everything is okay now, Jesus wants to share something very special with you.” They are still perplexed by this whole thing!

Then you see two dark clouds coming down to rest beside Jesus. You know what they are, but you cannot see Moses and Elijah. What’s wrong? Obviously the three apostles see them, and they are amazed. Peter even wants to build three dwelling places for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah. But you still see only clouds that came down from the heavens. Finally, while the three guys are frantically running around trying to decide what do about this phenomenon, Jesus smiles and looks at you. “You don’t see Moses and Elijah because you don’t need to see them. You already know I am the fulfilment of the law and the prophets, but remember, these guys are Jews, they need to be convinced that I didn’t come to change the law, but to fulfill the law and the prophets. Just be patient with them. they’ll get it someday.” He’s still smiling when the incredible thing happens. Peter says, “It is beautiful that we are here with you Lord, let us build you three dwellings, for you, Moses, and Elijah.”

Then the inevitable, but still amazing, thing happens. Jesus is glowing, His clothes and His body are almost translucent with the brightest white imaginable. The apostles recall that Moses’ face was glowing so brightly when he came down the mountain, that he had to wear a veil over his face. But Jesus is not hiding His incandescence, He is showing them what He looks like in all His glory. They also recall that Elijah was taken bodily into heaven; is this what is happening now? Is Jesus leaving them? Will they also be taken up into heaven now? They are so dumbstruck they fall to the ground. They are not sure what to make of this incredible scene. He told them He must go to Jerusalem, and that He will die and rise again, but He spoke in parables so often, they weren’t quite sure if He was speaking metaphorically. John seemed to understand more than the others. Instead of being frightened, he was more tranquil than the other two. Despite his young age, he had the wisdom to accept this thing he couldn’t quite understand, and this was perhaps the hardest thing for him to understand up to this point. Who could comprehend this sight? They must be asking, why us? Why were we chosen to witness our Teacher’s glory? What are we supposed to do with this knowledge? They fall to the ground prostrate before this magnificent thing they are witnessing.

And you? You are kneeling. You are just bathing in the glow of your Lord.  You have read and heard about the transfiguration many times, but you could never comprehend the reality of it until now. And you know this is what Jesus looked like in His risen glory. 

And so, imagine, if you will, what the world would be like if we, like St Dominic, and like the apostles, shared this good news with the world, so the entire world can be transfigured and transformed into a loving beautiful world, with no one hungry; no one in pain; no one without a home or health care; no one hated for being different; no one without God in their lives? Imagine, if you will…...

If you enjoyed this excerpt, you will read the full reflection in my newly released book, Three Mountain, A Road, and a Well.