Transfiguration: Divinity revealed

 

"Thy lightnings enlightened the world: the earth shook and trembled. How Lovely are thy tabernacles, O Lord of Hosts! my soul longeth and fainteth for the courts of the Lord. (Ps 83: 2-3). Glory be to the Father ... - Thy lightnings enlightened the world: the earth shook and trembled (Ps 76: 19)" Introit for the Feast of the Transfiguration of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

"Upon Mount Tabor, Jesus revealed to his disciples a heavenly mystery. While living among them He had spoken of the Kingdom and of His second coming of glory, but to banished from their hearts any possible doubt concerning the Kingdom and to confirm their faith in what lay in the future by its prefiguration in the present, He gave them on Mount Tabor a wonderful vision of His glory, a foreshadowing of the Kingdom of heaven." An excerpt from a sermon on the Transfiguration by Bishop Anastasius of Sinai (Liturgy of the Hours, Volume four). 

The Transfiguration as Bishop Anastasius said Jesus Christ revealed His glorified self before the three apostles that He took with them up the Mount called Tabor. There are a few significant things we see in the Transfiguration miracle namely the setting, the people involved in the Transfiguration, and Petrine Epistle corroboration. 

First, we have the Mount Tabor. Mountains are significant through out the Old Testament for resembling closeness to God. Moses went up Mount Sinai (Exodus 24:18) to speak with, and before God in the Exodus and he returned with the Decalogue (Ten Commandments), and the Prophet Elias (1 Kings 19: 11-19) went unto Mount Horeb where he received a vison from God. The Introit for the Feast (See above) it is very similar to Elias' time on the mountain, and it brings to mind the presence of God before us, and how our soul is to respond to Him.

Second, during the Transfiguration we see three people. We see Moses, Elias, and the glorified Jesus Christ. One of the questions asked by one of the Apostles (Matt 17:10) was the question of why do the scribes say that Elias will return before the coming of the Messiah, and Jesus replied (in short) "He did, in John the Baptist, He was declaring my arrival to make clear the way" (Matthew 17: 12-13). But the presence of Elias doesn't end there, he is demonstrative of his office, i.e., the Prophets, just like Moses is demonstrative of his office, i.e., the Law. Jesus, who is of royal blood (the bloodline (legally via Joseph, and through blood of the Blessed Virgin Mary) of David) is fulfills the kingship of the Messiah. Being of the legal category of "first-born", a category that applies to the son regardless if other siblings are born, fulfills the Priesthood category of the Messiah. And lastly as prophesized by Moses, there will be one brought forth after him (Moses) who will fulfill the laws set for by God through Moses. 

Lastly, in the Second Epistle of Peter (2 Pet. 1: 16-19), who was one of the three Apostles Christ took with Him to Mount Tabor confirms this and alludes to a prophecy from the fourth book of Moses (Numbers 24:17) which is a messianic prophecy pointing to His coming. In this letter St. Peter confirms the Gospel accounts of the Transfiguration (Matthew 17: 1-9). 

The fruit of this mystery is "The desire for holiness". This is a part of why Jesus did this for His disciples. He brought them up the mountain for His Transfiguration to dispel any and all doubts in their hearts and souls. The Transfiguration not only rid them of doubts, but awakened in them the desire for holiness, to be like Jesus glorified in all things. To be in His kingdom, will result in them being glorified like Jesus Christ in His transfiguration.

The Scriptural Rosary is:

1. The Fourth Luminous Mystery: The Transfiguration
1. Pater Noster ... 
2. And after six days Jesus taketh unto him Peter and James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into a high mountain apart (Matthew 17:1)
1. Ave Maria … 
3. And he was transfigured before them. And his face did shine as the sun: and his garments became white as snow. (Matthew 17:2)
1. Ave Maria … 
4. And there appeared to them Elias with Moses; and they were talking with Jesus. (Mark 9:3)
1. Ave Maria … 
5. And Peter answering, said to Jesus: Rabbi, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles, one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. (Mark 9:4)
1. Ave Maria … 
6. And as he was yet speaking, behold a bright cloud overshadowed them. And lo, a voice out of the cloud, saying: This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased: hear ye him. (Matthew 17:5)
1. Ave Maria … 
7. And the disciples hearing, fell upon their face, and were very much afraid. (Matthew 17:6)
1. Ave Maria … 
8. And Jesus came and touched them: and said to them, Arise, and fear not. (Matthew 17:7)
1. Ave Maria … 
9. And immediately looking about, they saw no man any more, but Jesus only with them. (Mark 9:7)
1. Ave Maria … 
10. But if you partake of the sufferings of Christ, rejoice that when his glory shall be revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. (1 Pet. 4:13)
1. Ave Maria … 
11. [The Apostles] rejoicing that they were accounted worthy to suffer reproach for the name of Jesus. (Acts 5:41)
1. Ave Maria … 
12. O My Jesus ...
13. Gloria Patri ...