06/08/2026
Today the Church celebrates the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord. The first reading comes from Daniel 7, a passage rich in symbolism and hope.
Although the Book of Daniel is set during the Babylonian Exile in the sixth century BC, most biblical scholars agree that it reached its final form during the persecution of the Jews under Antiochus IV Epiphanes around 167–164 BC. Antiochus sought to suppress the Jewish faith by outlawing Jewish worship, forbidding circumcision and the observance of the Law, desecrating the Temple with a pagan altar, and forcing the Jews to abandon the covenant.
Faced with such suffering, many faithful Israelites asked, "Has God abandoned us? Will these pagan kingdoms rule forever?" Daniel answers these questions, not through political speeches, but through visions filled with divine symbolism.
Earlier in Daniel 7, four terrifying beasts represent successive pagan empires that oppress God's people. Their message is unmistakable: human kingdoms may appear powerful, but they are temporary. God alone is the eternal King.
This remains true in our own time. We witness influential leaders, powerful institutions, and mighty nations rise and dominate for a season. Yet history repeatedly shows that every earthly empire passes away. Only the Kingdom of God endures forever.
Daniel then beholds the Ancient of Days (Aramaic: Attiq Yomin), a title that does not suggest that God is old. In biblical thought, age signifies eternal wisdom, supreme authority, and timeless existence. His white garments symbolize absolute holiness; His white hair represents perfect and eternal wisdom; His fiery throne signifies His righteous judgment over all creation. The entire vision reassures persecuted Israel that, despite appearances, God still reigns from His heavenly throne.
Daniel also sees "one like a Son of Man" coming with the clouds of heaven. The Aramaic expression literally means "like a human being." This contrasts sharply with the beastly kingdoms.
While earthly empires become animal-like in their violence and oppression, God's Kingdom is represented by a truly human figure who embodies justice and righteousness. Initially, this figure symbolized the faithful people of Israel, but Jewish expectation increasingly understood him as the coming Messiah. Jesus later adopted the title "Son of Man" more frequently than any other title for Himself, identifying Himself with Daniel's vision while revealing that He is the One who receives everlasting dominion from the Father.
Turning to today's Gospel, St. Luke writes after the Resurrection, when many Christians expected Christ's glorious return to happen soon. Instead, they experienced persecution, suffering, and even martyrdom. Some naturally wondered, "If Jesus is truly the Messiah, why are His followers suffering?"
Luke answers that suffering is not the opposite of glory; it is the path that leads to glory.
Unlike Matthew and Mark, Luke tells us what Moses and Elijah discussed with Jesus. They spoke about His departure. Luke deliberately uses the Greek word exodos instead of simply saying "death." This choice recalls Israel's Exodus from Egypt. Jesus is about to accomplish a new Exodus—not from political slavery, but from the slavery of sin, death, and the power of evil. His Passion is therefore not a defeat but God's saving act for humanity.
The Transfiguration takes place on a mountain because, throughout the Old Testament, mountains are places of divine revelation. Moses received the Law on Mount Sinai, and Elijah encountered God on Mount Horeb. Luke presents Jesus as the fulfillment of both. Unlike Moses, whose face reflected God's glory, Jesus radiates divine glory from within because that glory belongs to Him by nature.
Moses and Elijah also represent the whole of the Hebrew Scriptures: Moses stands for the Law (Torah), while Elijah represents the Prophets. Their presence proclaims that everything in the Old Testament finds its fulfillment in Christ. When they disappear and Jesus alone remains, the message is unmistakable: Jesus is God's definitive revelation.
The cloud that overshadows them recalls the Shekinah, the visible manifestation of God's glorious presence that accompanied Israel in the wilderness and overshadowed the Tent of Meeting. The disciples are not merely witnessing an extraordinary event; they are entering into the very presence of God.
Then the Father's voice declares, "This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to Him." These words echo Deuteronomy 18:15, where Moses foretold that God would raise up a prophet like himself and commanded Israel to listen to Him. Luke presents Jesus as that promised Prophet, greater than Moses.
The Transfiguration reveals Christ's true identity before His Passion. Soon the disciples will witness betrayal, scourging, humiliation, and crucifixion. Without this glimpse of divine glory, they might conclude that the Cross proves Jesus is not the Messiah. Instead, the Transfiguration teaches the opposite:
