One of the ways I think of the Transfiguration of Jesus is as Radiant mercy & Radiant joy. Brilliant and radiant is the panoramic view from the top of Mount Tabor; I was there in January 1994. The vista takes your breath away as you gaze down upon the fields, roads, hills and distant towns of the Israeli countryside.
Radiant mercy & Radiant joy. What the three disciples [Peter, James and John] witnessed on Mount Tabor teaches us that Jesus’ messianic suffering is the fulfillment of God’s plan for salvation. It affirms that Jesus is truly God’s beloved Son. You can sense the joy of the Father’s self-emptying love expressed in the words spoken from the cloud: “This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.”
The Transfiguration scene reminds us of the creation story and invites us to ponder the re-creating effect of Jesus’ passion, death and resurrection: eternal rest and everlasting life in the presence of God. In heaven, we hope to enjoy a happiness and splendor greater than what anything on earth could provide for us. Hope-filled and Joy-filled reassurance! This is what the three disciples beheld and experienced on Mount Tabor.
Whenever we make the Stations of the Cross we can unite ourselves more deeply with the cross of Christ and draw closer to his self-sacrificing love. Radiant mercy & Radiant joy. Walking the Way of the Cross with Jesus provides us an opportunity to experience the transforming effects of grace in our souls; pausing for a brief moment at each station offers a lasting impression upon our weary hearts and souls.
Through our prayers during this season of Lent we ask the Lord to transform us in his love. Join me in praying that our hearts be truly transfigured by the grace, love and fullness of God’s Spirit. Radiant mercy & Radiant joy!