TRANSFIGURATION/X TRINITY 2015 and have something to say SERMON – PARISH too…but not to the disciples. Their role in the of the Transfiguration is to talk to ATHER RAIG OONEY F C L about his impending death in . .13 ST. .28 The appearance of Moses and Elijah teaches ✠ us that as good as the Law and the Prophets Who is Jesus? Throughout his public ministry were, Jesus is better, because it is only there was rampant speculation about Jesus through him we are reconciled to God the from the crowds that followed him and even Father. from his disciples. Who is Jesus? answers that About a week before the Transfiguration, question definitively and once and for all Jesus asked his disciples what people were time. He ends all speculation about who saying about him. His disciples answered Jesus is. He calls Jesus his much-loved Son some said he was , or Elijah, with whom he is pleased, and to listen to or another great prophet. But Jesus asked him. God the Father does not say listen to them who they thought he was. It is Peter Jesus and Moses and Elijah…he says to listen who answers and calls Jesus the Messiah, the to Jesus. The message could not be clearer. Son of the Living God. The Transfiguration of Jesus is connected to Jesus had been revealing himself all along his own Death, and Ascension. through his teachings, his actions and his None of the events in the life of Jesus are . And yet the question about who stand-alone events. They all speak to the Jesus was remained hot on everyone’s totality of Jesus’ life and mission. The bright- lips…even his disciples. Who is Jesus? Now shining Jesus of the Transfiguration gives us a God the Father would answer the question preview of Jesus breaking the bonds of sin definitively and once and for all time. and death and darkness and replacing them with forgiveness and life and light. The Baptism and Transfiguration of Jesus are the two events recorded in Scripture when We believe in the Transfiguration of Jesus God the Father speaks and identifies Jesus as because of the eyewitness testimony of Peter his much-loved Son. The two events are the and the others. Peter writes he is not telling a bookends of the public . made up story…he is telling the truth about what he and the others saw for themselves. After his Baptism, Jesus went off by himself The Transfiguration points to our own into the mountains to pray and prepare when our bodies will be himself for his public ministry. The transfigured…transformed into the glorious Transfiguration marks the end of his public and perfect bodies we will wear in . ministry, which by all accounts was a dismal failure. Saint John was the only writer present at the Transfiguration. He talks about what At the Transfiguration, Jesus again goes off was revealed to him in the powerful words into a mountain to pray. He takes his closest we hear in the Last Gospel read at the end of friends, Peter, James and John, with him, who every Mass: promptly fall asleep. When they wake up, they see Jesus in his full and Moses and “The Word became a human being and, full Elijah are standing with him. Luke tells us of grace and truth, lived among us. We saw Jesus’ whole appearance changed; his face his glory, the glory which he received as the was “bright like the sun…his clothes Father’s only Son.” “dazzling ”. Who is Jesus? He is God’s much-loved Son. The Transfiguration of Jesus is a pivotal We experience his love here and now in moment for all humanity. It is a miracle that Word and Sacrament. Let’s listen to him and happens to Jesus and we get to witness it what he has to say in our lives? And then let’s through the eyes of Peter, James and John. It go and tell others. is the point where human nature meets God ✠ and for a brief moment the humanity of Jesus gives way so his Godhead can shine through.