Message for Meditation and Reflection (Sunday, February 15, 2026)

Message for Meditation and Reflection

Today we mark the last Sunday after the Epiphany which is celebrated as the Feast of the Transfiguration. On this day the church recalls the story of Jesus on the mountain being revealed as the divine Son of God. The transfiguration invites us to be transformed into Christlikeness and to shine God’s glory in the world. The readings invite us to come, witness the glory of God and to proclaim the glorified Christ to the nations.

In the first reading Moses is commanded by God to come up to the mountain to receive the law/commandments. There he spent 40 days as the Lord spoke with him concerning the people of Israel. On the mount Moses would have experienced God’s glory.

In the second reading Peter is reminding Christians that the teachings they received are true testament of Jesus Christ. He had witnessed firsthand how God revealed Godself through Jesus Christ on the mountain. Jesus was declared the beloved Son of God.

In the gospel reading, Jesus, accompanied by three of the disciples went up to the mountain where he was transfigured before them. A voice from heaven also spoke to them that, Jesus was the Son of God with whom God was well pleased. On the journey down the mountain Jesus told the disciples to wait a while before saying anything about the experience.

A useful reminder here is that Matthew is writing to an audience who did not truly believe that Jesus was the Messiah. The story of the transfiguration helps to communicate Matthew’s message that Jesus was the true Son of God. It also tells of the new life that awaits Jesus beyond the cross, as well as the life that awaits those who follow Him.

Six days after Peter had confessed Jesus as the Christ, Son of the living God, Peter, James and John journeyed to the mountain with Jesus. As Jesus stood before them the glory of the Father within became obvious to the disciples who were with Him. Moses and Elijah who represents the law and the prophets appeared having had similar encounters with God on a mountain. Peter’s excitement drove him to make a suggestion to build some form of shelter, perceiving that they might be on the mountain for a while.

However, a voice out of heaven interrupted him, declared Jesus Christ as the well loved Son with whom God is pleased. The disciples bowed in fear, but Jesus came and touched them and assured them that there was no need to be afraid. By this time Jesus was the only one standing with them. Jesus charges them not to say anything about what they had witnessed until he was resurrected, at which time others would be better able to grasp the meaning of the transfiguration.