by Joe Nkumane
A reflection on the Transfiguration Gospel presented during the zoom prayer meeting held organised by the Sodality of St Joseph
Exodus 24:12-18 The Lord said to Moses, “Come to me on the mountain and, while you are there, I will give you tablets on which I have written commandments intended for their instruction.” In verse 14 – The Elders, however, had been told by Moses, “Wait here for us until we return to you.” Verse 15 After Moses had gone up, a cloud covered the mountain. The Glory of the Lord settled upon Mount Sinai. Another verse in Exodus 34:29 reads: “As Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the commandments in his hands, he did not know that the skin of his face had become radiant while he conversed with the Lord.”
This is perhaps the obvious reading to pair with the Gospel, with themes that link both. Both are set on mountains; both involve the prophet and lawgiver of Israel; both have something to do with encounters with God; both have some form of divine revelation; both have importance for the people of God.
The radiance when speaking with God is apparent in Moses and Jesus Christ.
Jesus took Peter, James and John his brother, led them up a high mountain.
Why high up a mountain? And why the three? And why Moses, Elijah, and Jesus, another three?
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