The Transfiguration of Our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ

Peter H. Davids

Byzantine Catholic Homilies • Sermon • Submitted 9 months ago • Presented 9 months ago

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In a world of transitory kingdoms and rulers our three readings present Jesus as the incarnate God who is universal and eternal ruler, as the already inaugurated emperor who will be revealed at the end of time, and as the divine son doing the will of the father who is in continuity with but eclipses the Hebrew saints and so should be listened to now, even if the vision should not be talked about. This should drive us to meditation on these unseen realities and fill us with hope and obedience.

Notes

Transcript

Ambon Prayer 61

After the Ambon Prayer fruit (especially apples and grapes) are blessed (Euchologion 298-300, but older is MMFM 502-503)

Dismissal: “May Christ our true God, who was transfigured in glory on Mount Tabor in the presence of his holy disciples and apostles . . .”

Title

Transfiguration - Seeing Reality as It Is

Outline

Listen to the news or read history books

This or that man is the most powerful on earth

This or that kingdom or nation is the embodiment of power - remember Hitler called his nation “The Third Kingdom,” the first two being Rome and the Holy Roman Empire.

What we know is that the men (or women) will die, some sooner, some later, and the kingdoms will crumble

Our faith is rooted in the eternal that already is; watch how it develops

2 Peter indicates that Peter was present when this rule was inaugurated

He, and Jesus, build on the vision in Daniel 7.

He says that “we” were present when “he [Jesus] received honor and glory from God the Father when that unique declaration came to him from the majestic glory, “This is my Son, my beloved, with whom I am well pleased.”” Thus “the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” has already been inaugurated before witnesses and only awaits its unveiling. That for 2 Peter is the meaning of the Transfiguration. And since we know this and can meditate on it, it gives hope to all of our lives.

Matthew wants us to know that Jesus is emperor and that we should obey him now

Jesus’ true nature shines through his humble clothing with Moses and Elijah as courtiers pointing to his continuity with and fulfillment of the Hebrew Scriptures. Peter grasps that and wants to set up the foundation of the eschatological headquarters with not one tent, one tabernacle, but three - prophet, priest, and king perhaps.

The theophanic voice informs them that Jesus is not just “great David’s greater son” but the Divine Son - already - “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” Moses and Elijah fade and there is only One to whom the three Apostles are supposed to listen, the One who has all authority and yet chooses to veil his being even after the transfiguration because he is the beloved Son following the divine plan and so the one with whom the Father is “well pleased.”

Jesus, the Son, speaks the words that follow a theophany, “Rise, and do not be afraid.”

Brothers and Sisters, I have tried to lay out some aspects of the Transfiguration presented in our three readings

There is so much more that could be said, but that would require a course, not a homily.

Furthermore, any attempt to grasp the Transfiguration must be in picture language, in metaphor, for it reveals the unseen real, the timeless and unbounded real and yet was encapsulated in an event for each author, an open-eyed vision in an earthly context.

These call us to two things: (1) to meditate on these visions so that they sink into us and become part of our worldview and (2) to live realizing that all power and pomp around us is relativized since Jesus is already the great universal Lord and so to live in hope waiting for what already is to be revealed openly, for the daystar to rise, and especially to do the one thing necessary, to listen to him (obey his teaching) for we know, really know, who he is.

Readings

Byzantine Lectionary (Revised Julian) 8-6-2023: The Transfiguration of Our Lord

EPISTLE

2 Peter 1:10–19

10 Therefore, brethren, be the more zealous to confirm your call and election, for if you do this you will never fall; 11 so there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

12 Therefore I intend always to remind you of these things, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have. 13 I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to arouse you by way of reminder, 14 since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ showed me. 15 And I will see to it that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things.

16 For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For when he received honor and glory from God the Father and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,” 18 we heard this voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain. 19 And we have the prophetic word made more sure. You will do well to pay attention to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.

Byzantine Lectionary (Revised Julian) 8-6-2023: The Transfiguration of Our Lord

GOSPEL

Matthew 17:1–9

1 And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain apart. 2 And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his garments became white as light. 3 And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. 4 And Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is well that we are here; if you wish, I will make three booths here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” 5 He was still speaking, when lo, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” 6 When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces, and were filled with awe. 7 But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and have no fear.” 8 And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.

9 And as they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, “Tell no one the vision, until the Son of man is raised from the dead.”

Notes

Byzantine Lectionary (Revised Julian) 8-6-2023: The Transfiguration of Our Lord

SUNDAY, AUGUST 6, 2023 | TRANSFIGURATION OF OUR LORD

Byzantine Lectionary (Revised Julian) 8-6-2023: The Transfiguration of Our Lord

THE TRANSFIGURATION OF OUR LORD

Bright Vestments

Matins Gospel Luke 9:28–36

Epistle 2 Peter 1:10–19

Gospel Matthew 17:1–9

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