“Transfiguration”

This weekend’s Gospel narrative presents the story of Jesus’ “Transfiguration.” Taking along a few close friends, Jesus goes off to a mountain to pray. While he is at prayer, a remarkable event takes place, the physical appearance of Jesus changes dramatically and the disciples see his glory. We traditionally interpret this event as Jesus revealing his divinity to his disciples. However, we miss a very important point here if we fail to see that there is another side to this revelation. True, Jesus may have revealed his divine nature, but what is also significant is something revealed about the disciples themselves - they were able to see it!

These chosen friends of the Lord had reached a point in their spiritual development where they were able to “perceive” divinity! Let us try to see the implications of this passage for us. An artist and a groundskeeper have different perspectives when they look out at a lawn spread over many acres. The artist may see a landscape worthy of a canvas and set out to buy brushes and paints for his palette. The groundskeeper, on the other hand, may only see a monotonous job ahead of him of cutting grass, trimming trees, and pulling weeds. Needless to say, both men will approach their tasks with different enthusiasm.

The artist can look at an ordinary tree, even a weed, and see something of beauty. The artist has an ability to see beauty from a heightened awareness and a refined inner vision. Thus we can see, that living a happier and more enhanced life depends to a great extent on how well we sensitize ourselves and refine our ability to see. It’s also a fact that we see what we want to see, and we see what we are taught to see! Many artists have natural talent, but many more are meticulously trained in their craft.

We can learn to see goodness and beauty in other people, and in ourselves! With more determined focus, for example, we can perceive divinity shining through the face of a stranger. God is all, and in all. God does not hide from us. God is here, everywhere, to be seen. Our joyous task as Christians is not only to be more Christ-like, but to become more visionary, like those first disciples, who “saw his glory.”

Are you willing to get beyond your present perceptions and prejudices, and really see? “If you look for trouble,” the saying goes, “you will find it,” but, by the same token, if you look for good, you will find it too. There is good in everybody. There is
something good to be learned even from pain and misfortune. Are you willing to look? Open your eyes of faith. See God’s will in all the events of your life. See God’s presence in members of your family, in the people you work with or encounter in the street. God wants to be obvious. Can you see???