The first reading this weekend is once again taken from the Book of Genesis.  We are introduced to Abram, who will later be named Abraham.  We are tipped off that something deep is going to happen: “Abram” means “father who is exalted”, which is very interesting because at this point in history, Abram is 75 years old and childless!  But God makes him a threefold promise: 

   1) “I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you;” 

    2) “I will make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.  I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you.”

    3) “All the communities of the earth shall find blessing in you.” 

   The third promise will eventually be fulfilled in Jesus the Christ.

The Gospel this week describes Matthew’s account of the Transfiguration.  The term “the Law and the Prophets” was used to designate the entire collection of Old Testament books, and thus the fullness of the revelation of God to Israel.   Moses represents the Law, and Elijah, the Prophets.  Jesus has become the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets.  Elijah was assumed bodily into heaven (2 Kings 2:11) and Hebrew legend has it that Moses was also assumed. This may explain how both can appear here in bodily form. While Saint Peter is speaking, a bright cloud cast a shadow over them.  This glory cloud, or shechinah, refers to the same cloud that occupied the tabernacle in the time of Moses, and we read in chapter 17, verse 2, “And he was transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light.“  This also happened to the face of Moses after the Sinai revelation (Exodus 34:29-35).  Our Lord Jesus is not only the “new Moses”, he has now been revealed as the long-awaited King of Israel, not merely as a human king, but as The Divine King.

By Deacon Dave Arms