Please read this passage before reading the homily.
My sisters and brothers,
Today’s episode starts out with the words, “Six days later”, Jesus took with him Peter, James and John, and led them up a high mountain and was transfigured in their presence. The book of Genesis says that after the six days of creation, God rested from the work he had done. During the Exodus, six days later, Moses with three other persons climbed the mountain to speak with God.
At the end of their lives, Moses and Elijah were on the top of mountains.
Jesus, like Moses and Elijah, were with three other people on the top of a mountain. Jesus was transfigured before these disciples.
Moses was the most important lawmaker in Israel. Elijah was the most important prophet in Israel. They were speaking with Jesus. Jesus is more important than the other two.
All the books of the Hebrew Bible were speaking with Jesus through Moses and Elijah. On the top of Mount Calvary, Jesus would die as Moses and Elijah had. The sacred Scriptures are about Jesus.
St Matthew described the transfiguration of Jesus in words that can likewise describe the end of the lives of Moses and Elijah. The work of Jesus brought to completion the work of Moses and Elijah.
Today we celebrate our transfiguration. God has called us to be God’s presence in this world. We are climbing to the top of God’s mountain to complete the work of our life. The voice of God says, “You are Jesus, my beloved, in you I am well pleased.