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(Dn.7:9-10,13-14;\xa0\xa0 Ps.97:1-2,5-6,9;\xa0\xa0 2Pt.1:16-19; Mt.17:1-9 \u2013 Mk.9:2-10 \u2013 Lk.9:28b-36 Note: since the three gospel accounts vary only in detail, they are treated as one in this one exposition for the day) \xa0 \u201cI saw one like a son of man coming on the clouds of heaven.\u201d \xa0 Daniel\u2019s vision, as John\u2019s vision in the Book of Revelation, is perceived in the flesh by the three apostles on MountTabor, and is known in all our hearts as \u201cthe morning star\u201d of faith rises in our hearts.\xa0 It is the coming of Jesus in all His glory Peter, James, and John glimpse here in the Transfiguration, and it is this same glory to which we are all called. The Lord wishes that the faith of the apostles and so the faith of the Church be strengthened against the \u201cdark place\u201d in which we find ourselves, so He here provides \u201ca lamp shining\u201d for them and for us, that we might not doubt the overwhelming \u201cdominion, glory, and kingship\u201d that are His and that will one day be ours as we join Him at the throne of God.\xa0 He is indeed \u201cthe Most High over all the earth, exalted far above all gods,\u201d and the \u201cflames of fire\u201d which flow out from where He sits, the brightest of lights He is for \u201call peoples, nations, and languages,\u201d we must ever be \u201cattentive to.\u201d So Jesus leads His three principal apostles up the mountain.\xa0 Apart by themselves and in prayer Himself, Jesus is \u201ctransfigured before them\u201d: \u201cHis face change[s] in appearance and His clothing [becomes] dazzling white.\u201d\xa0 What a fearful, absolutely awesome scene it is for Peter, James, and John.\xa0 Moses the great lawgiver and Elijah the great prophet appear in glory as well before them, speaking with Jesus of His coming sacrifice.\xa0 If this is not enough to stir their hearts, and our own, they are overshadowed by a fearsome cloud and the Father\u2019s own voice speaks to them: \u201cThis is my beloved Son.\xa0 Listen to Him.\u201d\xa0 Now they see Jesus alone, the Son of God Himself before their wide-open eyes.\xa0 He tells them not to speak yet of the vision, but their mouths are already shut tight in awe.\xa0 After the resurrection and the coming of the Spirit they will speak openly of the Lord\u2019s glory \u2013 as Peter does for us today in our second reading, saying, \u201cWe had been eyewitnesses of His Majesty\u201d \u2013 but for now they cannot utter the truth of such glory. \u201cThe power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ\u201d has been well documented for us now; \u201cthe prophetic message\u201d reaches to the ends of the earth: Jesus is the Son of God and \u201call peoples shall see His glory.\u201d\xa0 What the apostles glimpsed on MountTabor, what Daniel and the prophets foresaw, what the psalms sing about and that of which the proverbs and parables speak is come.\xa0 It dawns now on our human sight, the surpassing glory of the only Son; let us treasure that light with all our hearts.\xa0 He comes now on the clouds of heaven. Written, read & chanted by James Kurt; produced by Carie Fortney. Music by Carie Fortney; used\xa0by permission. ******* O LORD, how great is your power, how bright your light, and yet you make yourself known to our mortal eyes.\xa0 YHWH, how great is your Majesty!\xa0 How wonderful your glory!\xa0 How brightly does your light shine!\xa0 You are a consuming fire, purging away all darkness, all the impurities of sinful man. And does your Son not perfectly reflect your glorious Majesty?\xa0 Is He not your very image, O God?\xa0 And so, should we not listen to Him whom you have sent, Him who is your own, who carries your dominion among us? How blessed were the eyes of the three apostles to see the transfigured glory of your Son, to glimpse the surpassing wonder to which all souls are called \u2013 and to hear your voice!\xa0 O LORD, how fearful a moment this must have been, and how much joy it must have brought to them, and should bring to us. Let us be so blessed, dear LORD, to keep our eyes and hearts fixed on the light that is Jesus, and soon become one with your risen Son.