NOTES for Mat 17:1-13

Christ was transfigured while remaining Man. Yet by revealing to the disciples a glimpse of His divinity, He allowed them to touch another reality, incomprehensible to all who are accustomed to living by the rules of the earthly world. The light shown on the Mount of Transfiguration was hardly revealed to the disciples in all its strength and power; they most likely could not have borne it. Even what the disciples were allowed to see made such a strong and disorienting impression on them that they were very afraid. And yet they, human beings, were permitted to partake of this light.

Peter’s words about the three shelters and about how good it is to be here are natural; they deeply reflect the inner state not only of Peter, but also of many of us when we first encounter the astonishing manifestations of the spiritual world. We risk forgetting everything and wanting only to remain where we feel good. But spiritual joys are not given so that we may passively enjoy them. Having strengthened the disciples, Christ descends with them into the world, where they—and we—still have much work to do.