An anticipation of the resurrection

And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. And Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and have no fear.” And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only. And as they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, “Tell no one the vision, until the Son of Man is raised from the dead.” (Matthew 17: 1-9)

Jesus is the fulfilment of all the promises found in the Old Covenant, as represented by the Law of Moses and by the teachings given by the prophets and represented, here in today’s Gospel reading, by Elijah. Jesus’s transfiguration also constitutes an anticipation of His Resurrection. On the day of Last Judgement our souls will be reunited with their bodies. If we are judged worthy of Heaven, our bodies will be glorious, without suffering and any earthly limitations. In the light of the transfigured body of Jesus we can distinguish good from evil in our lives. May we never forget to pray that we are always able to have a fair discernment, even in our everyday decision.