Bizarre. Random. Excessive. Gratuitous. Unusual. Odd. Peculiar. Strange. Extraordinary.
There. I mined the thesaurus for the description that comes to mind on first encountering the this Miracle of Our Lord’s Transfiguration. Unless we know the context it’ll be tough to get past this first impression.
The Context: Real Time
Don’t forget that we hear the gospel with the perspective of hindsight. But the episodes in the Gospel unfold in real time. This miracle only makes sense because of what immediately precedes and what will follow it it real time.
We can say in general that Jesus’ performed miracles in order to confirm and to build up our faith. This is especially so with the most impressive miracle of the Lord’s suffering, death, burial and resurrection. He wanted to make sure that the faith of his followers would be strong throughout the unfolding of that protracted three-day miracle. We may be able to sustain an act of faith for a minute or two, but for the three days leading up to Christ’s resurrection, especially when the first two of those days are so brutal. How can anyone’s faith be that strong?
Remember the size of the faith that can move mountains—the mustard-seed-sized faith.
He tells Peter James and John He’s going to die and they too need to be ready to die if they really want to be his disciples. All would die giving witness to the Father’s of forgiveness for us.
But the first time they heard that news it fell on them like a load of bricks. Like “Cancer. Stage .4.” Or the cops on the front porch late at night telling you “There’s been an accident.” Or the telegram so many families received while their sons were overseas.
He let that load of bricks sit there because he needed them to realize the gravity of the mission. Then, after eight days he took James—who would be the first to die, John—who would be last to die and Peter—who would have to strengthen his brothers, up the mountain to see his Glory.
Lent is hard work. Life is hard work. But remember, there is a very happy ending.