REFLECTION:

Living here in Hawaiʻi, we are blessed by the beauty of our mountains. There are days when the Koʻolau Mountains are completely covered with clouds. You can drive by and barely see them. Then suddenly the sun breaks through. The clouds part, and the mountains appear in all their majesty. The mountains were always there. The clouds simply prevented us from seeing them clearly.

I think that image helps us understand today's Feast of the Transfiguration.

In the Gospel, Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up a high mountain. There, before their eyes, he is transfigured. His face shines like the sun. His clothes become dazzling white. Moses and Elijah appear beside him. Then the Father's voice is heard from the cloud: "This is my beloved Son... listen to him."

What changed on that mountain? In one sense, nothing. Jesus did not suddenly become the Son of God. He already was. The Transfiguration simply revealed to the disciples who Jesus truly was. For a brief moment, the veil was lifted. The glory hidden within his humanity shone forth.

That is why the first reading from Daniel is so important. Daniel sees a heavenly vision of "one like a Son of Man" receiving glory, power, and an everlasting kingdom. Centuries later, Peter, James, and John realize that this vision is fulfilled in Jesus. The man walking beside them, eating with them, and teaching them is also the Lord of glory. But the timing of this event is significant.

The Transfiguration happens shortly before Jesus begins his journey toward Jerusalem and toward the Cross. Jesus knows that difficult days are coming. The disciples will witness betrayal, suffering, and death. Their faith will be shaken.

Before they face the darkness of Calvary, Jesus gives them a glimpse of Easter. He allows them to see the glory beyond the suffering. He allows them to see the victory beyond the Cross. And perhaps that is why the Church gives us this feast. Because all of us experience moments when clouds cover our lives.

Sometimes those clouds come in the form of illness. Sometimes they come through family struggles. Sometimes through grief, disappointment, loneliness, or uncertainty about the future. In those moments, God may seem distant. We may wonder where he is. We may feel that we cannot see him clearly.

The Transfiguration reminds us that just because we cannot see the mountain does not mean the mountain has disappeared. Just because we cannot feel God's presence does not mean he is absent. Just because life is difficult does not mean Christ's glory has been lost.

The disciples would need to remember that shining face when they later saw Jesus carrying the Cross. They would need to remember the Father's voice when the world seemed filled with silence. They would need to remember the glory of Mount Tabor when they stood in the shadow of Calvary. And we are called to do the same.

When life is good, it is easy to trust God. When prayers are answered, faith comes naturally. But faith becomes deeper when we continue to trust even when the clouds remain. Notice that the Father says only a few words: "This is my beloved Son... listen to him." Not admire him. Not merely talk about him. Listen to him. Listen when he tells us to forgive. Listen when he asks us to be patient. Listen when he calls us to serve others. Listen when he says, "Do not be afraid."

Peter wanted to stay on the mountain. "Lord, it is good that we are here." We can understand that feeling. We all want spiritual highs to last forever. We would love to remain in moments of peace and joy. But Jesus leads the disciples back down the mountain. The Christian life is not lived on the mountaintop. It is lived in the everyday realities of family life, work, ministry, struggles, and responsibilities.

The purpose of the mountain was not escape. It was preparation.

The disciples were strengthened by what they saw so they could faithfully continue the journey. Every Mass is something like that mountain experience. We gather in the Lord's presence. We hear his Word. We receive his Body and Blood. We are given a glimpse of God's glory. Then we are sent back into the world carrying that light with us.

Today the Transfiguration invites us to remember that Christ is greater than whatever clouds may be covering our lives. His glory remains. His kingdom endures. And his light continues to shine, even when we cannot always see it clearly.

The challenge is simple: when we leave this mountain of worship and return to our daily lives, will we continue to listen to him and trust the light he has revealed?