Mark 9:2-10 NRSVue
2Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John and led them up a high mountain apart, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, 3and his clothes became dazzling bright, such as no one on earth could brighten them. 4And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, who were talking with Jesus. 5Then Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us set up three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 6He did not know what to say, for they were terrified. 7Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud there came a voice, “This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!” 8Suddenly when they looked around, they saw no one with them any more, but only Jesus.
9As they were coming down the mountain, he ordered them to tell no one about what they had seen, until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead. 10So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what this rising from the dead could mean.
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Reflection on Mark 9:2-10
Inspiration from 2027-02-21 Daily Prayer
The Transfiguration is a significant moment for the disciples, an attempt by Jesus to cure the spiritual blindness of this close inner circle, so that they might see his true identity. A disciple must replicate the life of the one they follow, a choice that they must make continuously – to come down from the mountain and engage with the reality of the world.
Reflect on a time you gained a greater clarity about something, when the veil lifted, and you saw something of the divine spark in the world around you. In the midst of our busy lives, we look for places where we can catch a glimpse of something more profound. Where are these spaces for you?
Further reflection
In our journey to God we have peak moments, when the ground is holy. Like Peter, we want them to last for ever. But Jesus, 'only Jesus', brings us down the mountain and prepares us for the hard times ahead, living on the memory of brief transfigurations. Can I recall any of my peak moments?
The apostles saw into the real Jesus - a few hours on the mountains which they would never forget. When later they would see the disfigured face and the dying body on the cross, Peter and James and John would remember this day, and would remember it for the rest of their lives. They saw Jesus as the Son of God, and saw a glimpse in him of our humanity at its best. The glory of Jesus is the glory of love - his love unto death, and the love in him of Father and Spirit.
They saw him then as they had never seen him before. They were told that he is the one who is to come. They knew now they would listen to him, that his words were to be the rock of life. The apostles' faith was confirmed on the mount of Transfiguration. Prayer moments may often be transfiguration moments when we glimpse the beauty of Jesus Christ and we commit ourselves to ‘listen to him' as God invites.