耶穌顯聖容

by FLL Editorial Team
2013-08-06

那時候,耶穌帶著伯多祿、若望和雅各伯上山去祈禱。正當他祈禱時,他的面容改變,他的衣服潔白發光。忽然,有兩個人,即梅瑟和厄里亞,同他談話。他們在光耀中顯現,談論耶穌的去世,即他在耶路撤冷必要完成的事。伯多祿和同他在一起的,都昏昏欲睡。他們一醒,就看見他的光耀和在他旁侍立的兩個人。那二人正要離開時,伯多祿對耶穌說:「老師,我們在這裏真好!讓我們搭三個帳棚:一個為你,一個為梅瑟,一個為厄里亞。」他原來不知道說什麼了。他說這話的時候,有一片雲彩遮蔽了他們。他們進入雲彩時,門徒就害怕起來。雲中有聲音說:「這是我的兒子,我所揀選的,你們要聽從他!」正有這聲音時,只見耶穌獨自一人。在那些日子,他們都守了秘密,把所見的事一點也沒有告訴任何人。
路加福音 9:28-36


Transfiguration of Jesus
耶穌顯聖容(慶日)

不久之前,耶穌正和門徒談論祂的苦難,所以耶穌在這時候顯聖容,相信有特別的意義。當祂在山上容貌變得發光有如太陽、衣服潔白如光時,梅瑟和厄里亞出現在旁。他們二人都是舊約聖經中重要的人物,一個代表法律,一個代表先知,同是對天主極為忠貞的僕人,也因此受過很多痛苦和迫害。他們的出現,可以說是明認舊約中有關默西亞的記載,都將在耶穌身上應驗。

伯多祿看見後,說要為他們搭三個帳棚,大概是想留住那一刻的相聚,但這做法明顯並不恰當:一方面,雖然耶穌在門徒前提早流露祂的光榮,但祂還未接受苦難,所以還不是時候進入祂的光榮中,而是為苦難作出準備,因此梅瑟和厄里亞與耶穌談論的,也是關於這件事;另一方面,提議為他們一人搭一個帳棚,意味著三位擁有同等地位,這更加不恰當,因為梅瑟和厄里亞只是先知,但耶穌是天主子,所以伯多祿說這話的時候,天父在雲彩中糾正他說:「這是我的兒子,我所揀選的,你們要聽從他!」

耶穌顯聖容,是祂進入光榮的預兆,也是在門徒前肯定祂天主子的身份,但在祂的使命完成前,祂必須要經過苦難;跟隨祂的人,也可能要面對同樣的迫害。

天主邀請我們與基督一起進入這光榮;但在進入這光榮之前,我們也必須背起我們的十字架,跟隨祂。你願意嗎?

Jesus took Peter, John, and James and went up a mountain to pray. While he was praying his face changed in appearance and his clothing became dazzling white. And behold, two men were conversing with him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his exodus that he was going to accomplish in Jerusalem. Peter and his companions had been overcome by sleep, but becoming fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. As they were about to part from him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good that we are here; let us make three tents, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” But he did not know what he was saying. While he was still speaking, a cloud came and cast a shadow over them, and they became frightened when they entered the cloud. Then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my chosen Son; listen to him.” After the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. They fell silent and did not at that time tell anyone what they had seen.
Luke 9:28-36

Transfiguration of the Lord (Feast)

Shortly before this, Jesus was talking to His disciples about His suffering, so Jesus' transfiguration took place at this time can be delivering some important message to His disciples. On the mountain, while he was praying, His face changed in appearance and his clothing became dazzling white, and Moses and Elijah appeared beside Him. Moses and Elijah are two important figures in the Old Testament: one represents the Law, the other represents the Prophets. They're both very faithful servant of the Lord, and their presence confirmed what Jesus foretold His disciples: He is going to suffer, the Messianic prophecies in the Old Testament will be fulfilled by Him.

After seeing this, Peter said he would make three tents, one tent for each of them. As recorded, Peter did not know what he was saying, but he said it probably because he hoped this moment can last longer, that the three would stay with him for a bit longer. Notice how this suggestion is not appropriate: first, although Jesus revealed His glory to His disciples, it is not yet time for Him to enter into His glory, not until He has gone through His passion. That is why Moses and Elijah were talking with Jesus about what He'll accomplish in Jerusalem; all these are preparations for what is to come. Secondly, Peter's suggestion of making a tent for each of them implies all three of them have equal status, which is not true. Moses and Elijah are only prophets, whereas Jesus is the Son of God. Perhaps that is why our Father in Heaven immediately appeared to him in the clouds, saying, “This is my Son, my chosen one, listen to him.”

Jesus' transfiguration foreshadows His entrance into glory, and confirms His identity as the Son of God before the disciples. However, before His mission completes, he must first go through suffering and death, and His disciples would also face similar persecution.

God invites us to join Jesus in His entrance into glory; but before that, we must take up our cross and follow Him. Are you willing to do that?

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