Christian Festivals were set up to supplant pagan ones hence we celebrate Easter in Spring and after Pentecost, formerly Trinity, observe so-called ordinary time during which we examine the life and teaching of Christ. In years when Easter is Early the time between his birth and death is severely truncated. Hence two weeks ago Jesus began his ministry, last week performed his first miracles as recorded in Mark, and this, his Transfiguration coming only a few weeks after the Baptism. I suppose ending the Church Year with the crucifixion wouldn't play well.
Hindsight being 20-20 the Old Testament prophet's predictions of a Messiah who would free his people Israel are seen as pointing to the coming of Jesus the Christ. Moses led his people out of bondage in Egypt and brought them the Law at Sinai. Hence the Law and the Prophets. Whether or not this Mountain Top experience is a historical event it is symbolic that the Law and the Prophets appeared to Jesus.
The Angel Gabriel appears to Mary and Joseph announcing the holy birth. Elizabeth's foetus jumps in her womb when her pregnant cousin Mary approaches. The ancient prophets acknowledge him at his 8-day presentation in the Temple. God's Spirit descends as a Holy Dove at the baptism and a voice from heaven claims him. At the Transfiguration the voice from heaven is heard by Jesus' inner three.
Paired with this Gospel Lesson is Elijah's translation into Heaven in a chariot of fire and Elisha faithfully sticking by his master and assuming his robe as a mark of his office as Elijah's successor.
The present series of appointed lessons seems fixated on the theme of light overcoming darkness. Both the Epistle and the Psalm talk about letting the light of truth shine upon the darkness of ignorance.
Psa 50:2 God shines from Zion, the city perfect in its beauty.
2Co 4:4 They do not believe, because their minds have been kept in the dark by the evil god of this world. He keeps them from seeing the light shining on them, the light that comes from the Good News about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.
Mar 9:7 Then a cloud appeared and covered them with its shadow, and a voice came from the cloud, "This is my own dear Son---listen to him!"
And so we come to it. The event is tantamount to a confirmation. God is confirming that Christ's message is true.
Jesus was no flash in the pan whose significance died with him. The appearance of the Law and the Prophets at his Transfiguration confirms that he in a lineage that extends back to the roots of Judaism and the voice from Heaven that his coming makes manifest God himself who is eternal. An essential part of his ministry was the gathering of followers, disciples who would perpetuate his message for future generations. Through the Holy Spirit we are descendents of that lineage and share in that ministry through Christ's body the church.
Hindsight being 20-20 the Old Testament prophet's predictions of a Messiah who would free his people Israel are seen as pointing to the coming of Jesus the Christ. Moses led his people out of bondage in Egypt and brought them the Law at Sinai. Hence the Law and the Prophets. Whether or not this Mountain Top experience is a historical event it is symbolic that the Law and the Prophets appeared to Jesus.
The Angel Gabriel appears to Mary and Joseph announcing the holy birth. Elizabeth's foetus jumps in her womb when her pregnant cousin Mary approaches. The ancient prophets acknowledge him at his 8-day presentation in the Temple. God's Spirit descends as a Holy Dove at the baptism and a voice from heaven claims him. At the Transfiguration the voice from heaven is heard by Jesus' inner three.
Paired with this Gospel Lesson is Elijah's translation into Heaven in a chariot of fire and Elisha faithfully sticking by his master and assuming his robe as a mark of his office as Elijah's successor.
The present series of appointed lessons seems fixated on the theme of light overcoming darkness. Both the Epistle and the Psalm talk about letting the light of truth shine upon the darkness of ignorance.
Psa 50:2 God shines from Zion, the city perfect in its beauty.
2Co 4:4 They do not believe, because their minds have been kept in the dark by the evil god of this world. He keeps them from seeing the light shining on them, the light that comes from the Good News about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.
Mar 9:7 Then a cloud appeared and covered them with its shadow, and a voice came from the cloud, "This is my own dear Son---listen to him!"
And so we come to it. The event is tantamount to a confirmation. God is confirming that Christ's message is true.
Jesus was no flash in the pan whose significance died with him. The appearance of the Law and the Prophets at his Transfiguration confirms that he in a lineage that extends back to the roots of Judaism and the voice from Heaven that his coming makes manifest God himself who is eternal. An essential part of his ministry was the gathering of followers, disciples who would perpetuate his message for future generations. Through the Holy Spirit we are descendents of that lineage and share in that ministry through Christ's body the church.
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