Elijah and Moses appeared to him, and they were talking with Jesus.” This scene reveals the centrality of Jesus and, at the same time, the One toward whom everything converges and is fulfilled.

 

Elijah and Moses appeared to him, and they were talking with Jesus.” This scene reveals the centrality of Jesus and, at the same time, the One toward whom everything converges and is fulfilled. Christ, as the fullness of the Law and prophecy, that is, of the Scriptures, is more than a patriarch, more than a prophet, even though they are considered decisive for Israel. Moses is the indicator of the Law; Elijah, of prophecy. Both are placed facing Jesus and in dialogue with Him, a sign that one cannot give up the Old Testament, which constitutes the reality of the promise, of the preparation for the arrival of the Messiah. According to Luke, they were talking about the death that Jesus would suffer in Jerusalem. In turn, Christ being the key to the interpretation of all the Sacred Scriptures, in addition to being the Center, the Light, the Understanding and also the Realization of all the Word of God, even so, presenting Himself as the WORD OF SALVATION, was preparing for the definitive Passover.

5. “Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us make three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” It was indeed very good to remain there, to contemplate this great mystery, but that was not the purpose of the transfiguration, especially because they will have much more than that after death, remaining firm as authentic disciples. It is not possible to attain resurrection without first facing self-surrender and death. Furthermore, Peter and the others did not understand not only the mystery, but also the need to be encouraged, immersed in this mystery, to decisively face the cross, not only in Jesus, but also in their lives, in fidelity, trust, and love, in the hope of resurrection. It was necessary to know the Master more deeply, but to do so they would have to walk with Him until His total surrender on the cross. Setting up tents would be the same as remaining in the comfort of the promise, in the understanding of the past, in a nostalgic reality without the legitimate reaction to the challenges created by the world against the presence of the Son of God. Now the gaze is no longer backward. It is necessary to advance into “deeper waters,” even if it means facing the hatred of the world. 6. In this theophanic environment, marked also by the sign of God’s presence, the sheknah, symbolized by the cloud, comes the revelation that Jesus is the Son (cf. Ps 2:7: a king declared to be the son), the King (who will give his life), the Servant and the absolute Word of the Father. The disciples are invited to the Shema, to listen to the truth about God and His teachings, the fulfillment of Dt 6:4. The Father intervenes and reveals who Jesus is: “My beloved Son” and manifests His will: “Listen to him”. It is clear that the apostles needed to listen more deeply, to have a more intimate knowledge of Jesus Christ. For lack of listening, they still perished in the darkness of a messianism contrary to the Messiah himself, they suffered from terrible ignorance because they were unable to abandon their interests marked by the logic of men who sought themselves. The voice is clear: “Listen to him”. It is necessary to lean totally towards Jesus Christ, to turn completely to Him, to be involved, without fear, in everything He is, teaches and does. Otherwise, there will be no true discipleship. 7. “As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus gave them orders not to tell anyone what they had seen, until the Son of Man had risen from the dead.” This great truth can only be revealed through the resurrection. The clarity of faith would not be possible before the victory over death, over the Evil One and over sin in general. Certainly, alongside fear, there was a glimpse, but not certainty, total surrender. In fact, they did not even understand the meaning of “resurrection from the dead” as Jesus understood it. After this great experience, the disciples are invited to the mission, with greater maturity in the Christian faith, so that all may conquer the glorious future of God, communion with the Lord himself for their entire lives. The mission will bear fruit because of the presence of Jesus among them (Jesus descends with them). Interestingly, when Jesus was crucified, it was not the apostles, but a pagan at the foot of the cross who was able to see Jesus as the true Son of God. There, too, one of the thieves was able to see that he was a true King.