The Transfiguration of the Lord: A Glimpse of Heaven!
What Is the Transfiguration?
The Transfiguration of the Lord is a significant event in Jesus' life. It took place when Jesus brought three of His disciples—Peter, James, and John—up a tall mountain to pray. While they were there, something incredible occurred!
Jesus' face started to shine like the sun, and His clothes became bright white—more stunning than anything they had ever seen. Then, two key figures from the Old Testament, Moses and Elijah, appeared and conversed with Jesus. This was a monumental moment—Moses stood for the Law, and Elijah represented the Prophets.
It was as if Heaven was shining through Jesus to reveal who He truly is: the Son of God!
What Did the Disciples See and Hear?
Peter, James, and John were filled with awe—and a bit frightened! Then they heard a voice coming from a bright cloud saying:
"This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him!"
—Matthew 17:5
That voice was God the Father, telling them and us: “This is Jesus, My Son. Pay close attention to Him!”
Why Is This Important?
The Transfiguration teaches us that:
- Jesus is both human and divine—He is both God and man!
- It provided the disciples with strength before Jesus' suffering and death.
- It serves as a reminder that Heaven is real and filled with glory.
- Most importantly, we should always listen to Jesus.
A Lesson for Children
Even though we don’t see Jesus shining like the sun every day, we can still have "mini-transfigurations" in our lives. How? Every time we:
- Pray with a loving heart
- Attend Mass
- Forgive someone
- Assist others
—we let Jesus shine through us!
A Fun Home or Classroom Activity ✍️
Transfiguration Craft Idea:
Encourage kids to draw a mountain scene. In the picture, Jesus shines in white, with Moses and Elijah next to Him. Add golden rays and the words: “This is my beloved Son—listen to Him!”
You can even incorporate shiny paper, glitter, or glow-in-the-dark stickers for added fun!
When Do We Celebrate It?
The Feast of the Transfiguration is observed every year on August 6. It’s a wonderful opportunity to discuss God’s glory, Jesus' love for us, and how we can reflect His light in the world.
Final Thought
The Transfiguration offers us a glimpse of Heaven. It reveals the beauty of Jesus and what God has prepared for us. If we follow Jesus, listen to Him, and love like Him, we too will share in His light one day!