Feast of Transfiguration
The transfiguration of Jesus in our Gospel was not just about Jesus. It is a vision of the glorious future to which we are all called. In his first letter John writes,
“we are already children of God but what we are to be in the future has not yet been revealed; all we know is that when it is revealed we shall be like him because we shall see him as he really is.” (1 John 3:2)
We need to eradicate selfishness from our lives if we really want to be transformed into real Christians. The ultimate goal of the Christian way of life is transformation into Christ. He is the way, the truth and the life. Selfishness has to be dealt with very seriously. We need to die to our egotism so that we may become more and more like the Risen Lord. What are some practical ways in which we can remove selfishness from our lives? We can start with a short list of actions that will certainly change our lives if we really put these things into practice.
First of all, we can try to always be in a good mood. We all wake up at times in a bad mood. Smile; be of good cheer; break the cycle of bad moods with self-control. Secondly, we can always make an effort to anticipate the needs of others. Each of us can start by being attentive to the needs of others while eating meals and perhaps begin offering to help wash the dishes. Thirdly, we can focus on others and try to avoid always talking about ourselves. We can begin by really listening to others. By our manner we could show our interest in what others have to say. Fourthly, we can try to always make a point of greeting everybody, even strangers. Fifth, we might volunteer time in our parish and other charitable organizations. There is always something that needs to be done. Another way to break the cycle of personal egotism is to be generous with our money. We need to practice tithing. How can we expect God to be generous with us, if we are not generous with him?
There are three transfigurations or transformations that take place in our journey towards eternity.
The first change begins at Baptism. The immersion into the baptismal waters symbolizes death and rebirth. The sacrament of Baptism washes away original sin and we are re-created. We are transformed into new creatures. The old self dies, and the new person in Christ Jesus is born.
The second transformation takes place by our victory over the trials and tribulations of life. Every challenge, every difficulty, every moment of suffering, is an opportunity to grow. Transformation only takes place through suffering.
The third transformation takes place at death. The suffering that the final moment brings upon us, makes way for an amazing transformation. Eternal life in heaven, perhaps after a period of further transformation in purgatory, is granted to those who have been found worthy. The last transformation or transfiguration takes place at the Second Coming when our body is reunited with our soul. What awaits us is beyond anything that we can imagine. "I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us" (Romans 8: 18).
Every time we gather for the Eucharist we experience a moment of transfiguration where our divine Lord is transfigured before our eyes in the forms of bread and wine.