The Sunday of the Transfiguration (CL)

Mark 9:2-13

² And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, ³ and his clothes became radiant, intensely white, as no one on earth could bleach them. ⁴ And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus. ⁵ 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.” ⁶ For he did not know what to say, for they were terrified. ⁷ And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is my beloved Son; listen to him.” ⁸ And suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone with them but Jesus only. 

⁹ And as they were coming down the mountain, he charged them to tell no one what they had seen, until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. ¹⁰ So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what this rising from the dead might mean. ¹¹ And they asked him, “Why do the scribes say that first Elijah must come?” ¹² And he said to them, “Elijah does come first to restore all things. And how is it written of the Son of Man that he should suffer many things and be treated with contempt? ¹³ But I tell you that Elijah has come, and they did to him whatever they pleased, as it is written of him.” 

"It is good that we are here."  St Peter's line is perfect, but his understanding is imperfect.  St Peter believes that it is great to be there with Moses, Elijah, and Jesus so they may live together.  St Peter may even believe that this is a glimpse of eternal life or existence in heaven.  But this is not why it is good.

"It is good that we are here."  St Peter, St James, and St John were there to witness the glory of God made manifest in Jesus.  They are there so they may bear witness and testify to what they have seen. These three were not there to build tents but they were there to be eye witnesses to what God has been doing.

"It is good that we are here."  Should be the same thing the Church repeats today.  It is not good that we are here to stand by and watch as neighbors, friends, and family fall further into their sinful habits, as we build churches, schools, and community centers.  "It is good that we are here," so that we may proclaim what we have seen and heard.  It is the testimony concerning Jesus Christ's death and resurrection for the forgiveness of sins, which we testify to today.

"It is good that we are here."  "They kept the matter to themselves, questioning what this rising from the dead might mean."  But now they and we know what is meant by all this.  Christ has died.  Christ has Risen.  Christ is coming again.  Christ is both God and Man.