At that time, Jesus took Peter, James and John and led them up a high mountain by themselves.

 

At that time, Jesus took Peter, James and John and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them. 3 His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than any fuller on earth could bleach them. 4 Elijah and Moses appeared to him, talking with Jesus. 5 Then Peter spoke up and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us make three tents: one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” 6 Peter did not know what to say, for they were all so afraid. 7 Then a cloud came down and overshadowed them. And a voice came from the cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to what he says.” 8 Suddenly they looked around and saw no one with them except Jesus alone. 9 As they came down from the mountain, Jesus gave them orders not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. 10 They observed this order, but they discussed among themselves what "rising from the dead" meant.

—Word of Salvation. Reflection 1. When we come across the text of the Lord's transfiguration, we glimpse a very lofty theology that reveals the truth about Jesus Christ, His mission and condition, and the future for all those who become HIS disciples. In a few words, the author shows who Jesus is, what will happen to HIM, HIS importance for the Church and the world, and His victory over the fear, distrust, sadness, and weakness that haunt His disciples. 2. An initial piece of information is that this is something that happened "six days after" that meeting in Caesarea Philippi where Peter, by divine inspiration, affirmed that Jesus "is the Christ, the Son of the living God" and then, moved by the dominant messianic expectation of a political messiah, instigated by the Devil, he made the first announcement of the Lord's Passion; A difficult moment for Peter and the other apostles, due to the harshness of Jesus' response in defense against Peter's attack when he was contradicted in what determined his messianic vision. It was clear that the apostles were not yet fully aware of the reality of Jesus in himself and of what He would suffer to achieve human redemption. Well, on Mount Tabor or, perhaps according to some scholars, Mount Hermon (2750m), Jesus is transfigured before the core group of his disciples: Peter, James and John, the so-called pillars of the Church (Gal 2,5). 3. Another important piece of information is about the clothes. “His clothes became dazzling white, as white as no fuller on earth could bleach them”. Here is a clear sign of the resurrection. Death will not be the end! This is a demonstration of comfort, confidence and encouragement for the disciples, who were terrified and afraid. Christ had already said that the leaders of the Sanhedrin would kill Him, but He would rise again on the Third Day (cf. Mt 16:21; Mk 8:31; Lk 9:22). He also speaks, with reference to the Temple, that once destroyed, it would be rebuilt in three days (cf. Jn 2:19). These white garments also reveal the suffering He would go through, precisely because such whiteness is manifested after much suffering in washing the clothes, shaking them on the stones, and in some cases stepping on them until they reach the desired cleanliness. Well, in order to attain resurrection, one must not fear rejection, humiliation, spitting, beatings, etc., and, furthermore, in specific cases, literally facing the cross to the point of death.