Reflection: Mark 9:2-13

Saturday of the 6th Week in Ordinary Time - Mark 9:2-13

The gospel for today is Mark’s account of the Transfiguration.  Jesus decided to take Peter, James and John up to a mountain.  When they arrived at the top of the mountain, Jesus was transformed before them and His clothing became dazzling white.  Then Elijah and Moses appeared and they began to converse with Jesus.   

After a time, Peter spoke to Jesus and said: “Rabbi, how good it is for us to be here!  We will erect three booths for you on this mountain, one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.”  Peter did not know what else to say, for he and all the disciples were filled with awe.  Then a cloud came and overshadowed them.  A voice spoke from the cloud saying: “This is my Son, my beloved.  Listen to him.”  Then the disciples realized that no one else was with them– only Jesus.   

The disciples knew that Jesus was an extraordinary teacher; however to have Moses and Elijah appear and converse with Jesus must have astounded them!  Moses and Elijah were two of the most important prophets in the Old Testament; yet they saw these prophets and heard Jesus converse with them like they were old friends.

Why were the disciples so astounded?  After all, not long ago on the Feast of the Epiphany, Jesus’ identity had been revealed to them; yet once again they are astounded by this revelation!  I suspect that many of us react in a similar way when we experience an unusual happening in our lives; typically we also need to take time to absorb an unexpected or unusual reality.  However, the most important words in this Gospel are the words that were spoken from the cloud:  “This is my Son, my beloved.  Listen to him.”   This is our call for today and every day.  We are to attend to Jesus’ presence in our lives and listen for His voice.  Today Jesus will come to us; however, if we are not awake or attentive we will miss him.  What a loss that would be!