Note that Jesus and the three Apostles go "up the mountain to pray". Bible scholars believe that this mountain was Mount Tabor. In the Bible, many important events occur on top of mountains: Noah's ark comes to rest, Moses receives the Ten Commandments, Abraham nearly sacrifices Isaac, Jesus delivers "The Sermon on the Mount". (It would be an interesting Lenten study to research the significance of mountains in the Bible.) Also note that "Jesus prayed". As always, He sets the example for us.
Next, Jesus is physically transformed: "His face was changed in appearance, and his clothes became dazzling white." If Jesus' three chosen companions on this trip had any doubt that He was the Son of God, they sure didn't at this point in the narrative! Catholic theologians interpret this transformation as a means for Jesus to strengthen the resolve of the chosen three shortly before their big test of faith during His Passion and Crucifixion.
This Gospel now ties in beautifully with the second reading. St. Paul says, "He will change our lowly body to conform with His glorified body by the power that enables Him also to bring all things into subjection to Himself." During the Transfiguration, Jesus reveals His glorified body and gives us hope that our own bodies will "conform with His" in a similar transformation. That hope certainly strengthens my own resolve!
Perhaps you can pray the Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary this week and meditate on what you are learning. These reflections are meant to inspire others to learn more about the mysteries of the Rosary. One caveat, if you use the internet to research the Rosary or the mysteries, please use caution and discernment. There are many sites out there that do not adhere to Catholic teaching (or the Magisterium) even though they call themselves "Catholic". I like to use the site review feature at Catholic Culture to verify questionable sites.
The beautiful icons I've posted with the blog entries are also meant to help facilitate meditation. More on this fascinating mystery tomorrow.
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