Recently a parishioner shared a photo she took of Our Lady of Fatima statue that’s located in the church right below the sanctuary. The statue was glowing in radiance. It appeared as if the light was coming from the statue, which was hard to believe since this photo was taken early in the morning when the whole church was in darkness. It looked like a miracle to me and the person who shared it with me. So I decided to investigate. I examined all the possible ways that the light could hit the statue. All the lights were off and it was too early in the morning for the sun to shine through the skyline. Needless to say, I was getting very nervous, since I am not so holy or ready to witness an apparition from Our Blessed Mother. Next I inquired about the day and time it happened. It was on Presidents’ Day after the 7 am Mass. Then I thought about the security camera I installed in the church. I hit the play back button with the time and date entered. Then the mystery was solved! I was able to ascertain that light comes through the front stained glass window and goes through the Holy Spirit window and then hits the statue of Our Blessed Mother. Because the light goes through two spectrums it comes as a high voltage spotlight.
What makes this even more special is that it only happens once a year. Why am I sharing this with you today? It’s because in today’s Gospel we heard that Jesus is transfigured and shone in divine radiance on the mountain in front of the disciples. While Jesus was praying his face changed and his clothing became radiant white. It wasn’t that Jesus reflected light, or that light was shining on Jesus, but it this light was coming from Jesus. Now Jesus’ divinity shone forth through his humanity. When Jesus is in prayer with his Father we see his true self; his divinity is revealed like never before, as he shares in the radiance of his Father. In the Nicene Creed we profess that Jesus is truly divine, begotten of the Father, consubstantial with the Father, “God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God.” When Jesus was transfigured, the Father and Son, Light and Light, are in prayerful union.
When we pray, light doesn’t shine through us but we ask God to shine his light on us. When Moses came down Mount Sinai his face shone because he had been talking with God (Ex 34:29) and he had to put a veil on his face (Ex 34:34-35). When we pray, we enter the presence of God, God’s light. Our faces do not shine, but we ask to be enlightened in prayer. Peter said to Jesus, “It is good that we are here.”, and when we pray, we are our truest self because our longing for God is now being fulfilled. Origen (185-254 AD), a noted early church Bible scholar and teacher, explains the significance of Jesus' transfiguration for our own lives: "Do you wish to see the transfiguration of Jesus? Behold with me the Jesus of the Gospels. Let him be simply apprehended. There he is beheld both "according to the flesh" and at the same time in his true divinity. He is beheld in the form of God according to our capacity for knowledge. This is how he was beheld by those who went up upon the lofty mountain to be a part with him. Meanwhile those who do not go up the mountain can still behold his works and hear his uplifting word. It is before those who go up that Jesus is transfigured, and not to those below. When he is transfigured, his face shines as the sun, that he may be manifested to the children of light, who have put off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. They are no longer the children of darkness or night, but have become the children of day. They walk honestly as in the day. Being manifested, he will shine to them not simply as the sun but as he is demonstrated to be, the sun of righteousness."
Luke's Gospel tells us that while Jesus was transfigured, Peter, James, and John were asleep (Luke 9:32)! Upon awakening they discovered Jesus in glory along with Moses and Elijah. How much do we miss of God's glory and action because we are asleep spiritually? There are many things which can keep our minds asleep to the things of God: mental lethargy and the "unexamined life" can keep us from thinking things through and facing our doubts and questions. The life of ease can also hinder us from considering the challenging or disturbing demands of Christ. Prejudice can make us blind to something new the Lord may have for us. Even sorrow can be a block until we can see past it to the glory of God. Are you spiritually awake? Peter, James, and John were privileged witnesses of his glory. We, with unveiled face, beholding the glory to another, for this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:18). The Lord wants to reveal his glory to us, his beloved disciples. Do you seek his presence with faith and reverence? "Lord Jesus, keep me always alert to you, to your word, your action, and your constant presence in my life. Let me see your glory.