The Transfiguration of Jesus is a Glorious Mystery based on Mark 9:2-9

I. John Chrysostom’s life.

II. Today we celebrate the Transfiguration of Jesus.

III. Quote from the “golden mouthed” preacher. “A strange and most glorious mystery do I see.”

IV. A closer look at the Transfiguration of Jesus.

V. Elijah and Moses with Jesus on the mountain.

VI. What were they talking about?

VII. Read Mark 9:5-6 and comment. According to Mark 9:5-6, “And Peter said to Jesus, 'Rabbi, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.'  For he did not know what to say, for they were terrified.”

VIII. Read Mark 9:7-8 and comment. Mark 9:7-8 tells us, “And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, 'This is my beloved Son; listen to him.'  And suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone with them but Jesus only.”

IX. Further words of John Chrysostom. John Chrysostom also said these words about the Transfiguration of Jesus,  “even then He did not display to us all the splendor of the world to come. . . . But at that time on the mountain he disclosed to them as much as it was possible for them to see without injuring the sight of the beholders; and even so they could not endure it but fell upon their faces.”

X. Suffering of John Chrysostom and Romans 8:18 and more words about the Transfiguration of Jesus. John Chrysostom’s life was one of persecution and suffering. Yet, for the sake of Jesus’ suffering, he confessed this glorious transfiguration awaiting all believers, as St. Paul says, “I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us” (Romans 8:18). And so writes John Chrysostom in all his eloquence: “Behold now the sky, and pass through it in thought to the region beyond the sky, and consider the transfiguration to take place in the whole creation; for it will not continue to be such as it is now, but will be far more brilliant and beautiful, and just as gold glistens more brightly than lead, so will the future constitution of the universe be better than the present . . . it will in the future be itself also transfigured into the nobler condition. Nowhere in that world will there be sedition and strife: for great is the concord of the band of saints, all being ever in harmony with one another. It is not possible there to fear the devil, and the plots of demons, or the threatenings of hell, or death, either that death which now is, or the other death which is far worse than this, but every terror of this kind will have been done away. And just as some royal child, who has been brought up in mean guise, and subject to fear and threats, lest he should deteriorate . . . and become unworthy of his paternal inheritance, as soon as he has attained the royal dignity, immediately exchanges all his former raiment for the purple robe, and the [royal crown] . . . and assumes his state with much confidence, having cast out of his soul thoughts of humility and subjection . . . even so will it happen then to all the saints. . . . Shall we then, I ask, deprive ourselves of such great blessings, in order to avoid suffering for a brief period? . . . Hear what the blessed Peter says; “it is good that we are here” (Mark 9:5). (Exhortation to Theodore after His Fall, Letter I, paragraph 11) For here, “A strange and most glorious mystery do we see.” Amen.