My dear Parishioners,
Peace! The third article of the Apostle’s Creed is “Jesus was conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary” There are nineteen (19) In Brief passages in the Catechism of the Catholic Church regarding this article of the Creed. The following is a reflection on article 568.
Sacred Scripture records for us the Transfiguration of the Lord (cf. Matthew 17:1-8; 2 Peter 1:16-18). Peter James and John go up Mount Tabor (known via tradition) with the Lord Jesus who begins speaking with Moses and Elijah. The voice of the Father is heard identifying Jesus as the beloved Son to whom we are to listen. The three (3) apostles who were with the Lord are his ‘best friends’ to whom He gave His greatest treasures: Peter receives the whole Church (cf. Matthew 16:18-19); James receives the city dearest to the heart of God, Jerusalem, as it’s first Bishop (via tradition); and John receives the Blessed Mother on behalf of us all at the foot of the Cross (cf. John 19:26-27). These three represent also so much of the New Testament, all of which is explicitly centered on Christ our Savior. If we are to be the friends of the Lord we need to be familiar with the New Testament. Moses and Elijah, for their part remind us that the Old Testament too is centered on Christ, even if implicitly so. Holy Moses is given credit traditionally for the Torah, the first five books of the Old Testament. While Elijah does not have a stand alone book in the Old Testament (cf. 1 and 2 Kings), at Our Lord’s Transfiguration, he represents all of the Prophets, Major (4) and Minor (12) alike.
It was in view of His saving Passion that Jesus revealed His glory in the Transfiguration to strengthen the Faith of these key apostles. The more familiar we are with Sacred Scripture the stronger we will be in our Faith. Our fidelity to Sunday Mass and to the Sacraments of Penance and Eucharist are what strengthen us in our Faith.
Due to their elevated status (closer to Heaven?/!), mountains have played an important part in salvation history. Mt. Calvary, of course is where the Lord Jesus died on the Cross as the price of our redemption, to save us (cf. Matthew 27:33; Mark 15:22; Luke 23:33; John 19:17; 1 Corinthians 6:20; 7:23). Mt. Tabor is the traditional location for the Transfiguration. Mt. Sinai is were Moses received the Law (cf Exodus 31:18; 34:29).
While the Lord revealed His glory before His saving Passion in His Transfiguration, now he reveals His glory through His Church and through His Sacraments. The countless lives changed for the better by God’s grace reveals Christ’s glory. Even the most majestic of church buildings pales in comparison with the glory of a holy soul. Christ our Lord makes us holy by His grace given to us in His Sacraments, the work of Mother Church. May we always be faithful to Christ, letting His glory radiate from us.
God bless you!
Father John Arthur Orr