Gen. 15:5-12, 17-18; Phil. 3:17-4:1; Lk. 9:28b-36
The Transfiguration of Jesus is one of the most profound moments in the Gospels. It is a divine revelation of Christ’s true nature, a moment where His human form is momentarily transformed, radiating divine light. This event is significant not only because it reveals Jesus’ divine glory but also because it serves as a lesson in transformation. When human beings truly experience God, they are never the same again. The Transfiguration teaches us that encountering God leads to spiritual change and renewal.
The event of the Transfiguration takes place at a crucial point in Jesus’ ministry. He had been revealing Himself gradually to His disciples, teaching them about the Kingdom of God, healing the sick, and performing miracles. However, the disciples struggled
to fully grasp His identity. Shortly before this event, Jesus asked His disciples, "Who do you say that I am?" (Luke 9:20). Peter, under divine inspiration, declared, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." However, even as Peter recognized Jesus’ messianic identity, he did not yet fully understand what that meant.Jesus had also begun to reveal to His disciples that He must suffer, be rejected, die, and rise again (Luke 9:22). This was difficult for them to accept. The Transfiguration occurs as a confirmation of His identity, a divine assurance that even though suffering and death lie ahead, His true nature is glorified and eternal. Jesus takes Peter, James, and John—His closest disciples—up the mountain, and there, in prayer, His divine nature shines forth.
The Transfiguration has strong roots in the Old Testament, particularly in the lives of Moses and Elijah, who appear alongside Jesus. Their presence is not coincidental; they represent the Law and the Prophets, both of which point toward Christ.
The first parallel is Moses’ encounter with God on Mount Sinai. In Exodus 24:12-18, Moses ascends the mountain to receive the Law. There, he spends forty days in the presence of God, enveloped by a cloud, and when he descends, his face is radiant because he has been in communion with the Divine (Exodus 34:29-35). This foreshadows the Transfiguration, where Jesus’ face shines with divine glory. However, unlike Moses, who merely reflects God's glory, Jesus radiates it from within because He is the Son of God.
Elijah, too, has a mountain encounter with God. In 1 Kings 19:11-13, Elijah experiences God not in wind, earthquake, or fire, but in a still, small voice. This teaches us that God's presence is often revealed in unexpected ways. Both Moses and Elijah’s mountain experiences show how encountering God brings transformation and renewed mission, just as it does for the disciples at the Transfiguration.
Before sin entered the world, Adam and Eve lived in perfect communion with God. Genesis 3:8 describes how they walked with God in the Garden of Eden. However, sin broke this intimate relationship, and humanity lost the radiance of divine glory. The Transfiguration reveals that through Christ, this lost communion can be restored. Jesus, the New Adam, comes to undo the effects of sin and lead humanity back to its original state of holiness.
The presence of Moses and Elijah signifies that everything in the Old Testament—both the Law and the Prophets—finds its fulfillment in Jesus. He is the New Moses (Deuteronomy 18:15) and the expected Elijah (Malachi 4:5-6), leading people to the true Promised Land of eternal life.
Just as at Jesus’ baptism, a heavenly voice affirms, "This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to Him!" (Luke 9:35). This command reminds us that transformation begins with listening to Christ. His words bring life, guidance, and renewal.
When man experiences God, he is transformed. This theme is central to Scripture and Christian life. Saul was a fierce persecutor of Christians, but on the road to Damascus, he encountered Christ in blinding light (Acts 9:1-19). That encounter changed him forever, turning him into Paul, the great apostle. Just like the disciples at the Transfiguration, Paul’s experience led to a new
In The Great Divorce, C.S. Lewis portrays souls who visit Heaven but must choose to let go of their earthly attachments to enter fully. Some refuse and remain ghostly, while others surrender and become solid, real beings. This reflects how encountering God requires transformation—letting go of sin and embracing holiness.
In The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis, a group of souls takes a bus ride from a dreary, grey town (symbolizing hell or purgatory) to the outskirts of heaven. There, they encounter celestial beings who invite them to stay and embrace the joy of heaven, but most refuse because they are unwilling to let go of their earthly attachments, pride, and self-deceptions. Through various encounters, Lewis illustrates how sin and selfishness keep people from accepting God’s grace. The book portrays heaven as a place of ultimate reality and joy, while hell is depicted as a state of self-imposed separation from God, where souls cling to their illusions rather than surrendering to divine love.
This story fits well with Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18, as it highlights the importance of sincerity in faith. Just as Jesus warns against performing religious acts for human recognition, Lewis’ characters struggle with false pretenses and inner corruption that prevent them from embracing true holiness. Many of the souls in The Great Divorce refuse heaven because they are more concerned with appearances, self-righteousness, or personal grudges than with genuine transformation. The book powerfully illustrates that external religious acts, like fasting and prayer, are meaningless unless they lead to a humble, sincere surrender to God’s will—aligning with Jesus' call for authenticity in spiritual life.
The Transfiguration is a call to transformation. Like Peter, James, and John, we are invited to climb the mountain of faith, experience God’s glory, and be changed. However, we cannot remain on the mountain. After encountering God, we must descend into daily life, carrying the light of Christ into the world. Just as Jesus led His disciples back down, we, too, are sent forth to share His love.
The Story of Jerry McAuley , is a story of transformation from Criminal to Preacher . Jerry McAuley was an ordinary man. Born in Ireland in 1839, he grew up in extreme poverty. As a young boy, he was sent to America, where he fell into bad company and became involved in crime. By his teenage years, he was a notorious thief and gang member in New York City, known for drunkenness and violence.
At the age of 19, Jerry was arrested for robbery and sentenced to Sing Sing Prison. While in prison, something unexpected happened—he heard the Gospel from another inmate. At first, he mocked it, believing that someone like him could never be forgiven. But one night, overwhelmed by guilt and despair, he knelt in his prison cell and prayed. In that moment, he felt God's presence and believed that he had been forgiven.
After his release, Jerry struggled to stay on the right path. Many doubted his transformation, but he was determined. He started working as a dock worker and eventually opened a small mission for the homeless and lost souls of New York. In 1872, he founded the Water Street Mission, one of the first rescue missions in America. He spent the rest of his life preaching, feeding the hungry, and helping former criminals and alcoholics find a new life in Christ.
McAuley’s story is a powerful example of how an ordinary person—even a criminal—can be transformed by God’s grace and become a force for good in the world. His work continues today through rescue missions inspired by his life.
Like Moses at the burning bush, Catherine McAuley in her mission of mercy, and St. Augustine in his restless search for truth, we too receive the touch of God in our lives. Yet, often, we fail to recognize His presence because we are distracted by the noise of the world, blinded by pride, or burdened by our own desires. Moses could have dismissed the burning bush as a mere phenomenon, McAuley could have ignored the suffering around her, and Augustine could have continued seeking fulfillment in worldly pleasures. But each of them, in a moment of grace, opened their hearts, recognized God's call, and allowed His transforming touch to reshape their lives. Their openness led them to encounter God in a profound way, changing not only their own destiny but also that of countless others.
Lent is the season that invites us to do the same—to step away from the shadows of distraction and enter into deeper communion with God. Through prayer, fasting, and sincere repentance, we strip away the layers that cloud our vision and keep us from seeing His hand at work in our lives. If we seek Him with an open heart, we will recognize His transforming touch in the ordinary moments, in the quiet whispers of grace, and in the call to greater holiness. Just as Moses, McAuley, and Augustine responded to God's invitation, let this season of Lent be a time of renewal, where we allow His touch to mold us into instruments of His love, mercy, and truth.
Satish