Mark 9:2-10

Gospel according to Mark 9:2-10

Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach them. And there appeared to them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus. Them Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, one for Elijah.” Peter did not know what to say, for they were terrified. Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud there came a voice, “This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!” Suddenly, when they looked around, they saw no one with them anymore, but only Jesus. After they were coming down from the mountain, he ordered them to tell no one about what they have seen, until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what this rising from the dead could mean.

Reflections

Most of Jesus’s ministry took place in Galilee, and the disciples were walking on paths connecting cities. This time, Jesus took Peter, John, and James aside and went up with them to “a high mountain.” According to scholars, this mountain could have been Mount Tabor, located east of Nazareth, 575 meters tall.

Over the centuries other mountains have been suggested, such as Mount Hermon, 2814 meters tall, or Mount Sinai, at the foot of which Moses saw the burning bush. Because of its geographical location in Galilee, Mt. Tabor is the most likely location, since the disciples do not mention that they went far away from the others, Jesus only took them apart from the others for some time, as they hiked up a tall mountain. From here, there was an amazing 360 degrees view of Northern Israel: The Jezreel Valley, Mount Gilboa, Mount Carmel, the Golan Heights, Lower and Upper Galilee and even Mount Hermon to the north by the Lebanese border. (1)

Dome shaped, and covered with evergreens at the foot, with hairpin paths leading to the top, from here they could see fertile valleys and plains below as well as many of the places they visited, and where they still intended to go. But the most amazing site was not the view, as if representing a view back into the past and glimpse into the future, but at the intersection of both past and present, in that moment, Jesus connecting Heaven and Earth. His clothes became white as no earthy white color matched them, and suddenly, out of the cloud appeared two prophets, Moses, and Elijah who Jesus was talking with. These two major prophets of the Old Testament, appeared to meet Jesus, and to support his mission. They signified a continuity from past into the present and fulfillment of the Scriptures in Jesus’s ministry.

The Apostles, Peter, James, and John were amazed. They were terrified at the sight and did not know what to say. Suddenly, Peter got the courage to describe their feelings: It was “good to be there.” It was frightening but amazing to behold this image of Jesus talking to Moses and Elijah. So much so that the disciples felt like staying there forever, apart from the others and from life below, up at the peak of the mountain, beholding this sight and being included in its majesty and intimacy.

Moved to reaction, and possible action, Peter said: “let us build three dwellings, one for you, one for Mose and one for Elijah. But there was no such action required. Jesus did not respond to Peter. Instead, the voice of the Father could be heard. He spoke as He spoke at the Baptism of Jesus and confirmed His mission again: “This is my Son, the Beloved, listen to Him!” In other words, The Father wanted the Disciples first to listen and to comprehend Jesus’s authority given by the Father to preach the good news, and “listen” to Him. The actions would follow later.

This was a peak moment, a peak experience, encountering Jesus in the company of the prophets, seeing his clothes all dazzling white—the transfiguration being an indication of life after death—life beyond death—and the listening to the voice of the Father speaking clearly to them. As soon as this instance happened, a thick cloud enveloped Jesus and the three prophets, and when it was lifted, the apostles found themselves with Jesus alone.

The three of them witnessed the same event taking place, and Jesus told them to tell no one of these events until after his resurrection from the dead. They did not understand what he meant at that time, but they kept questioning each other and guarding this event in their hearts until the right time came and they fully understood what Jesus meant, because it has been fulfilled right in front of them, just as Jesus had indicated that it will happen. It was Peter, James, and John who were Jesus’s closest disciples, and it was Peter and John who saw the linen cloths that his body had been wrapped in, that were left behind in the tomb after his resurrection. His body was a resurrected body with qualities that were not earthly, and his clothes, although appeared not different, were that of Jesus whom the Father resurrected from the dead and raised to eternal glory.

The transfiguration is the image of a resting point, a stop in the journey, where one looks at the path already covered and the path ahead. It is a spiritual resting point, where one reaches a peak in the presence of God, connecting past, present and future, and heaven and earth. While it can be easily overlooked or not afforded because of our busy lives, we all need such points of reflecting on our journey and to replenish our strength from a spiritual source. Afterwards, we descend from the mountain, symbolically, we return from the heights to everyday life, where the Spirit keeps guiding us. We listen, and the actions that will be required will be revealed. If we remain faithful to the guidance of the Spirit, we will finally achieve the fulfillment of its promise. For God will not let us down ever. He knows our past, present, and the path that is still ahead.

Each of us has a mission in life. Listening to our conscience helps to advance step by step, until we reach those peak experiences where there is rest and nourishment for our souls, to continue our journey with the blessing of God.

Coming down the mountain is always easier than climbing up. Being at the top, one appreciates the heights, the peaks, and the valleys. Descending to the foot, one cherishes every moment of what the peaks were like. One treasures these moments in one’s heart and one shares them with one’s companions, and the journey continues, together, even though sometimes, apart from the rest -yet, in communion.

Source:

Leichman, A. K. (2016). A Perfect view of Northern Israel from Mount Tabor. Israel21c.org