The Woman At The Well

“No one has ever seen God, only the son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he has made him known” (Jn 1:18)

Jesus Christ is the object of our faith, the one sent by the Father so man would know who God is, not just intellectually, but with full commitment to the Word. “I came into the world as light, so that everyone who believes in me might not remain in darkness.”(Jn12:46)

The episode of the Transfiguration brings together many elements of faith whereby man and God come together to say who Jesus is. The Light of the World ascends Mount Tabor just six days after Peter’s great declaration of faith. Jesus brings with him his disciples Peter, James and John. Again and again Jesus has told his disciples he must journey to Jerusalem to suffer and die. It is night and Jesus has come to pray, to be sure he is following the will of his Father. He would take no step without talking to his Father. The disciples are always wavering in faith; the road to Jerusalem with the cross could turn them into unbelievers. They need something to cling to during their time of testing. Before them Jesus’ face and garments change: “His face shone like the sun, and his garments become as white as the light.”(Matt17:2) With Jesus are Moses and Elijah, the prophet who found God not in the wind, and not in the earthquake, but in the small voice, (1Kings:9) and the lawgiver of the Old Testament, whose face shone. (Exodus34:29) Jesus, Moses and Elijah are talking. Jesus is the fulfillment of the Old Testament represented by Moses and Elijah. Everything comes together in this tableau of faith as to who Jesus is. The greatest of the Old Testament bring recognition to Jesus and witness to Jesus that he should go forth. The voice of the Father in the bright cloud confers his blessing upon Jesus: “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.”(Matt 17:5) The disciples’ eyes and hearts are opened, their faith restored to believe the divinity of Christ. The light of power and divinity, the truth of Jesus’ relationship to the Father come from the same source: God the Father.

Man cannot remain atop the mountain, the place where one encounters Christ. Man must seek Christ’s shining glory on the plains of injustice and poverty. After witnessing the glory of Christ, man can remember, can meditate. Man needs to perceive God’s will for his life and like Christ pray for guidance. Man too needs a transfiguration to remain faithful in times of trial and tribulation. Man offers his suffering up to God; these are man’s altars of praise and glory to God.