For the record – I am not here to confuse anybody. But I am here to talk with you about the Transfiguration of Our Lord.

When it comes to the Transfiguration – we are all over the board on this one!

The “original” declared date of the Transfiguration was August 6th. To this day, our Orthodox brothers and sisters in the faith still celebrate the Transfiguration on August 6th.

The Roman Catholic tradition celebrates the Transfiguration on the Second Sunday In Lent.

Other traditions celebrate the Transfiguration on the last Sunday after the Epiphany.

Then, there are some faith traditions that do not celebrate the Transfiguration at all.

Many scholars have pointed out that it also works well as a post-resurrection event, during the season of Easter.

So we are “all over the place” when it comes to the Transfiguration of Our Lord.

What we can say about it – is that it is a major “feast day” in the life of some Christian churches.
It is also considered “totally unique” among the miracles of Jesus…because this miraculous event concerns only Jesus, himself.

And of course, what we know is that 3 out of 12 of the original disciples were privy with Jesus to this experience.

Peter, James and John were present with Jesus on the mount of Transfiguration.

As to the actual Mountain of Transfiguration, again there is little agreement. Some scholars point to Mt. Panium, others, to Mt Hermon, still others to Mt. Nebo but the traditionally accepted mountain is Mt. Tabor.

It has been said that the importance of the event is that this is where “human nature meets God.”

What I happen to like about the event, is the way that it is recorded by the Synoptic gospels. The Transfiguration of Our Lord is not to be found in the gospel of John.

So, the way that Mark, Matthew and Luke tell it, we are there (present) with the disciples on the mountain.
We see, what they see.
We witness, what they witness.

The gospel writers have done such a superb job of capturing this event, that we are “invited in.”

We see the vision of Elijah and Moses. We see them talking with Jesus.

We watch in terror as Jesus’ robes become dazzling, shimmering white. It appears, as if, his countenance is changed. He is somehow altered. He is different and we are not sure why.

We see Jesus in his glory and it is hard for us to wrap our minds around that. What is it we are supposed to do with this information?

We actually watch as a cloud moves in and over-shadows them.

We too, hear the voice that comes from the cloud.

We shake and shiver and stand in total awe with Peter, James and John.

We hear the spoken words. “This is my Son. Listen to him”

We hear the voice of God.

We look again, and we see Elijah and Moses no more.

Only Jesus stands apart by himself.

The robes are no longer dazzling, shining or glimmering.

We say nothing.

For what is there to say.

This is a sacred, holy, awe-struck moment and we are standing on the side of a mountaintop.

Scholars talk about this event as the Mysterium Tremendum. The sacred moment, the tremendous mystery.

And we have just been a part of it.

And then we hear Peter blurt out, it is good that we are here. Let us build three booths, or three tents, or three structures to savor this moment. Let us enshrine the memory of what has just happened here.

For Peter, like the rest of us, did not know what to say.

It is a sacred moment in time. A special moment. And we were privileged to witness the event. We are there.
We are with Jesus.

What is there to be said, after an experience such as this?

And Jesus tells us, to tell no one about the experience until after the Son of Man is risen from the dead…

How do you hold it in? How do you not say anything about it? How do you not tell everyone you meet.

But the voice said, “This is my son. Listen to him.”

So you listen. And you say nothing to anyone, because that is what he has asked us to do.

But you never forget the sights, the sounds, the vision of what you saw…

But what does it mean?

What does it mean?

Listen to him.