The Transfiguration of Jesus

Six days after telling his disciples he would soon suffer and die, Jesus took Peter, James, and John up a high mountain by themselves. There, before their eyes, Jesus was transfigured -- his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light.

Suddenly Moses and Elijah appeared, talking with Jesus. Overwhelmed, Peter blurted out, "Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters -- one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah."

While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!" When the disciples heard this, they fell face down on the ground, terrified.

Jesus came and touched them. "Get up," he said. "Don't be afraid." When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus. As they came down the mountain, Jesus instructed them not to tell anyone what they had seen until after he had risen from the dead.

For a brief moment, the disciples had glimpsed who Jesus truly was -- not just their teacher, but God's beloved Son, standing alongside the Law and the Prophets, worthy of being listened to above all else.