In the Transfiguration of our Lord, Jesus takes the disciples to the mountains. Mountains are places of worship in the Bible; they are types of the heavenly city.
The Father invites the saints of all ages to this glorious gathering of the saints. He brings Moses, who defeated and broke the false idols and delivered God’s people from tyranny, and Elijah by divine power manifested Yahweh’s authority over Baal, yet, Moses and Elijah are not the ones chosen to bring light to the world; they are not the ones chosen to reveal Yahweh to the nations; they are not the ones chosen to destroy the devil and death and they are ultimately not the ones to whom we must listen.
The Gospels say: “He (Peter) was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.”
Jesus is Creation’s light-bringer. He is exalted above every name and above all gods. He is the greater iconoclast and the greater Moses and Elijah, transfigured to bring his dazzling glory to the nations. We heed his call and listen to his voice!
On Transfiguration Sunday, the Church ascends to that holy mountain to join angels, archangels, and all the company of heaven to hear from the Son of God. Come, let us adore him!
