'O Bottom , thou art translated!'

I remember those words from ' A Midsummer Night's Dream' from many years ago and have this vision of poor Bottom with the ass head on, rushing onto the stage and dancing around, not quite realising what has happened and what a figure of fun Puck has made of him.

So Bottom was transformed - changed in outward appearance, he now had the head of an ass, and was a different person to those he met, Quince, Snout and even Titania, who of course was made to think he was very beautiful.

Jesus was, changed in outward appearance on Mount Tabor (or possibly Mount Hermon close to Caesarea Philippi) - both known as the Mount of the Transfiguration. The dictionary defines transformation and transfiguration very similarly, but adds that transfiguration is to change in form or aspect so as to elevate or idealise.

Bottom's transformation served exactly the opposite purpose!

For the disciples, Peter, James and John, what they witnessed on that day was a glimpse of the glory that was to come, the link with the Resurrection and Ascension which would follow the deeply difficult time of the Passion and the events of Holy Week. However, they were not in a position to understand this at the time and their reactions are very human and understandable. They witness Jesus' transformation, His face shining like the sun and His clothes white as light. Moses and Elijah are seen talking with Him - glistening faces, clothes dazzling white, the appearance and disappearance of the 2 prophets, a voice from a bright cloud - how were they to interpret it?

We at least have the benefit of hindsight- we can read about Jesus' journey from Caesarea Philippi to Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, about the events of Holy Week and Easter - about the Crucifixion and the Resurrection
If we had been there, without knowing any of these things, what would we have made of it? Would we have been overawed, frightened, thought we were dreaming, imagining it or what?

Peter very impulsively offers to build 3 tents/dwellings for them. This wasn't relevant to the occasion, but possibly seemed so to Peter at the time. It is almost as though he wanted to keep them there, so the moment wouldn't pass until he'd had time to make some sense of it. Just as we try to hang on to a moment we don't want to lose, but which slips away only too quickly.
In another translation, verse 4 reads: Peter just had to say something.' Often people do, especially if they are nervous and flustered. The Mark(9:6) account, tells us that Peter spoke as he did because he did not know what to say, ' for they were terrified.' One commentator suggests that Peter's was a 'trivial, ludicrous outburst,' his words typifying so much religious talk, ill timed and diversionary. He is of course interrupted in mid sentence by the overshadowing cloud and the voice that speaks what is really essential. When this terrifies the disciples, Jesus touches them and speaks words of reassurance. Another example of the grace and patience shown by Christ to his disoriented, confused disciples.

The story is obviously linked to Jesus' past as well as to His future.

Moses and Elijah are present on the mountain. They stay only for a short time, talk with Jesus and do nothing, but the simple mention of their names reminds the reader of Jesus' links with Jewish history - a history of God's deliverance of Israel from Egypt and the giving of the law at Mount Sinai, of God's sending the prophets to call unfaithful people to grace and obedience. While the transfiguration is a promise of resurrection, it is also a fulfilment of an ancient heritage. Moses the mediator of the Old Covenant is the great figure associated with the exodus. He now points to that greater exodus when Christ would lead His people out of the slavery of death. Elijah is the one who will turn peoples' hearts back to the covenant.

The voice from the cloud confirms what had been announced at Jesus' Baptism. Jesus is God's son. All the details of the story serve to heighten the distinctiveness of the One who alone is transfigured.

'This is my Son, the Beloved; with Him I am well pleased.'

God's injunction to 'Listen to Him' evoked memories of Moses, but also alerts us to Jesus as teacher, whose words and ways are to be obeyed. Both His teaching and His life are to shape the identity and lives of His followers.

This Jesus, seen privately in glory, ( 'Tell no-one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.') will die however in public humiliation. The scene at the Transfiguration offers a strange parallel and contrast to the Crucifixion.
Here on the mountain, Jesus is revealed in glory; on the hill of Calvary, Jesus is revealed in shame. Here His clothes are shining white; there, they have been stripped off and soldiers have gambled for them. Here, he is flanked by Moses and Elijah, 2 of Israel's greatest heroes, representing the law and the prophets; there, He is flanked by 2 thieves. Here, a bright cloud overshadows the scene; there, darkness comes upon the land. Here, Peter blurts out how wonderful it all is; there, he is hiding in shame after denying he even knows Jesus. Here a voice from God himself declares that this is His wonderful son; there, a pagan soldier declares in surprise, that this really was God's son. 3 disciples saw Him transfigured; 3 women watched Him die.

The mountain top seems to explain Calvary and vice versa.

Is this why we have this reading today? - the Sunday Next before Lent - giving us a glimpse of the glory that is to come at the end of Lent and Holy Week, on Easter Sunday and through the Resurrection appearances to Ascension Day.

The mountain top and the hill top

Perhaps we can only really explain either of them when we look at them side by side. This story is about being surprised by the power, love and beauty of God. We are shown the reality of the other world, the veil is drawn aside to allow a glimpse of a world normally invisible to us. Jesus was in contact with both worlds simultaneously and, while still on earth , He took on a splendour appropriate to the glory of that other world. Peter, James and John are given a unique experience of His glory - a confirmation that he is the Messiah.

In our Christian lives, we are also granted glimpses of future glory; in worship, through those who are skilled in art, sculpture, flower arranging , music and singing and in many other ways. Richard Harries, Bishop of Oxford, has recently written on 'The Passion in Art'- a reflection on what paintings and other illustrations can tell us about the Crucifixion and Resurrection. We have moments of insight, of the recognition of beauty perhaps, when we are alone or with a friend or group of friends in many different situations, through people, through places, through our thoughts and so on. Just this last week, the hall was transformed into a beautiful garden, with driftwood, a variety of leaves and plants, including primulas and snowdrops, daffodils in a delicate lemon and creamy white and all lit by candles. This was the setting for a short meditation accompanied by music. Just like Peter, many of us wanted to hold on to the moment, which was ended by switching the lights back on! It was in modern jargon, 'a magical moment,' if that is not to devalue it.

If we want to find the way, the way to God, the way to the Promised Land, we must . learn to recognise that same power, love and beauty within Jesus, and listen for it in what He has to say.

'Listen to Him'

The glimpses of His glory are surely there to sustain us through periods when being a Christian is not such easygoing.

© Gillian Gyenes
6 Feb 2005

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