TODAY’S READINGS

Today’s Gospel (Mk 9:2-10) gives us one account of the Transfiguration and Jesus’ instruction afterwards:

As they were coming down from the mountain,
he charged them not to relate what they had seen to anyone,
except when the Son of Man had risen from the dead. (v. 9)

“Jesus’ transfiguration, as an anticipation of his resurrected glory, could not be understood apart from his dying and rising. The disciples might eagerly accept a glorified Jesus, but they were slow to understand a Jesus who must suffer and die on the way to glorification. Too much attention on the final outcome could hinder their coming to grips with the necessity of the cross for Jesus — and for them.” (Bringing the Gospel of Mark to Life, 220)

“The glorious transformation of his human nature, foreshadowed in the Transfiguration, cannot take place apart from his humiliation on the cross, nor can it be understood properly until the passion has taken place. He can become the exalted, risen Son of Man only by being first a dead man. Then his glory will be openly proclaimed to all. But this mystery eludes the understanding of the three disciples…” (The Gospel of Mark [Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture], 176)

I’m reminded of the pithy saying, “No cross, no crown” or in a longer version, “There is no Easter Sunday without Good Friday.” For Jesus to command his three closest apostles to keep quiet about what they had seen makes sense per the commentaries above (I bet they were bursting about this after Pentecost, though). But, for us, it seems to me there is no problem deeply considering this event (saying the Rosary you can’t avoid it — and who would want to! — since it is the fourth Luminous Mystery).

The hope of the resurrection to new life should be a tremendous encouragement to us. Jesus preceded us to heaven, and we have the hope to follow Him some day. But, Jesus told us that, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me” (Mt 16:26). He also said, “‘No slave is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you” (Jn 15:20). The good news is that if we remain steadfast in faith and bear our troubles with patience and love, we will surely here these words directed to us from the Lord: “Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world (Mt 25:34).”

So, it’s okay to look ahead to the potential reward as long as we do not lose sight of the premised slog to get there. Losing sight of the latter imperils attainment of the former.

Bp Barron’s Sunday Sermon (a deep dive into the Binding of Isaac)

My video post on today’s first reading and its connection to the Eucharist.

After the Transfiguration Christ tells apostles not to reveal this fact until after the Resurrection by Italian School

God bless.