2005 Reflections - "Transfiguration" Illumination with Scripture Passages

First Reading

Genesis 12:1-4 — The calling of Abraham, father of the people of God.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 33:4-5, 18-19, 20, 22 “Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.”

Second Reading

2 Timothy 1:8b-10 — God called us to be holy and gives us life and immortality through the gospel.

Gospel

Matthew 17:1-9 — The Transfiguration - Jesus’ face shone like the sun.

Overview

An underappreciated element in the Rite of Baptism, of both adults and infants, is being clothed in white. It is often done in a perfunctory way, simply because the ritual order calls for it, but with little catechesis.
As you pray about the story of the transfiguration, consider how the white garment in which you were dressed at your Baptism links you to the “dazzling white” garment that the disciples saw when Jesus was transfigured before them. As members of the church, we are still wedded into the body of Christ as we were on that first day of baptism.
We change some of our habits and values not to earn God’s love, but to enable us to be more ready to recognize God’s love in the many and sometimes odd ways it is made known. As the voice in the cloud said of Jesus, so does God say of you, united to the body of Christ at baptism: “This is my daughter,” “This is my son.” (Martin Connell, Asst. Professor, School of Theology, Saint John's University)

Find a quiet and comfortable place. Light a candle and ready yourself to slowly and deliberately read the following gospels:  Matthew 17: 1-9, Mark 9:2-8 and Luke 9: 28-36.  All three are accounts of the Transfiguration.

Some Thoughts on the Reading

The Transfiguration appears in all three Synoptics, but Mark is the least complicated, textually. In modern scholarship, there has been controversy whether or not the Transfiguration was a post-resurrection occurrence which was transferred to this point, but most people do not subscribe to that theory. Elijah (prophet from the Messianic Age) and Moses (Law) are both strong presences in the story. The Transfiguration in Mark, as well as in the other two Synoptics, functions as a manifestation of Jesus’ divine nature following Peter’s declaration of Jesus’ Messiahship (8:29). That the Transfiguration occurs after Jesus predicts his passion (8:31) and after Jesus’ rebuke of Peter for interpreting Jesus’ mission from a human angle (8:32-33) undergirds the scene as a foreshadowing of the Passion, Death, and Resurrection. (Excerpt from The Committee on Illumination and Text Theological Briefs, The Saint John's Bible, Saint John's University)

How would you visually represent the Transfiguration? 

What parts of the Transfiguration story speak directly to you and your experiences? 

What colors, shapes and lines do you see when trying to visually picture this story?

Historically, iconic images depict Christ in the middle of two prophets with bright rays of light. This traditional iconography is so strong it is difficult to picture anything else.  Likewise, for the same reason, the traditional theology (signifying our transfiguration) cannot be effectively changed. However, this is not the place to represent our daily transfigurations. Rather than just trying to copy the traditional iconography, think of a way to include a respect for the traditional iconography, while at the same time employing an artistic technique to make a dazzling illustration.  This is a good way of respecting the traditional iconography while going ahead with a new interpretation.(Excerpt from The Committee on Illumination and Text Theological Briefs, The Saint John's Bible, Saint John's University)  

Before viewing the Transfiguration illumination from The Saint John's Bible, take some time to bring your thoughts on this passage to life. Make a simple drawing or write some notes about what you would do. Let your mind free associate and explore many possibilities. Consider creating your own full artwork to accompany this passage. If you wish, share your interpretation with another person. Invite someone else to do the same.

Click this link to view the Transfiguration. 

Consider the image of the transfiguration as rendered in the Saint John’s Bible. As you see the dazzling white of Jesus’ clothing, imagine yourself clothed similarly at your own baptism. Do you have a family picture from that celebration? Do you have any concrete reminder of that entrance into God’s kingdom? (Martin Connell, Asst. Professor, School of Theology, Saint John's University)

Some Connections to Other Art Forms

The image is luminous and has a transfigurational character to it. In St. Catherine’s monastery at Mt. Sinai there is an excellent figure that does this well. A window in Chartres also has a luminous image arising from a deep blue window. Light is also a strong theme in this story.  On Mt. Tabor the Church of the Transfiguration (Byzantine) is especially powerful with alabaster windows, light and large stairs.  All speak to the Transfiguration.   (Excerpt from The Committee on Illumination and Text Theological Briefs, The Saint John's Bible, Saint John's University)

Some Things to Do

Even if your baptism was many years ago, if you do not have any tangible reminder of that day, consider contacting the church where that baptism was celebrated. Canon law requires that parishes keep records of its baptisms, and, with your own estimation about when it had taken place, perhaps someone at the church can supply a baptismal certificate for you as a visual and tangible link to that day of salvation and vocation. (Martin Connell, Asst. Professor, School of Theology, Saint John's University)

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