Vatican, 06 August, 2023 / 12:07 pm (ACI Africa).
At the Transfiguration, Peter, James, and John witnessed a transformative moment that reflects the life of the Christian called to his or her own transfiguration. St. Matthew described in his Gospel: “And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his garments became white as light.”
Of this event, Benedict XVI noted: “According to the senses, the light of the sun is the most intense ever known in nature.” Despite this fact, Benedict said, “according to the spirit, the disciples saw for a short time a brightness more intense: that of the divine glory of Jesus, which illuminates the whole history of salvation.”
Peter, James, and John experienced an intense beauty, the beauty of an experience of God, a small glimpse of the beatific vision.
The Preface for Mass on the Transfiguration explains the significance of the event: “For he revealed his glory in the presence of chosen witnesses ... that the scandal of the Cross might be removed from the hearts of his disciples.”
Benedict reflected this sentiment at an Angelus address on March 20, 2011, saying: “We recall the Transfiguration of the Lord and how it prepared the Apostles for the coming scandal of the Cross.”
